The possibility of using an optical gas filter method for remote sounding of the total atmospheric column of SO₂

Abstract

We consider the possibility of using a passive optical gas filter method for remote sounding of the total atmospheric column of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) using the absorption of solar radiation by atmospheric SO₂ in the ultraviolet (UV) region. Numerical calculations were made to investigate the sensitivity of the gas filter instrument to the total column amount of SO₂ in the atmosphere. The accuracy of a measurement may be affected by the uncertainty in the content of interfering species. In the UV spectral range, the species that significantly interferes with SO₂ is ozone (O₃). A technique to reduce the effect of interfering absorbers was developed. We present the results of an analysis that shows the possibility of reducing the effect on SO₂ column measurements caused by change in ozone in the atmospheric column.