Monitoring of atmospheric trace gases, clouds, aerosols and surface properties from UV/vis/NIR satellite instruments

A new generation of UV/vis/near-IR satellite instruments like GOME (since 1995), SCIAMACHY (since 2002), OMI (since 2004), and GOME-2 (since 2006) have allowed one to measure backscattered solar radiance from the Earth with moderate spectral resolution over a large wavelength range (240-790 nm). The SCIAMACHY instrument also includes additional spectral channels in the near-IR. From the measured spectra several important stratospheric and tropospheric trace gases (e.g. O-3, NO2, OClO, HCHO, SO2, BrO, H2O) as well as clouds, aerosols and surface properties can be determined from space. Because of its extended spectral range, the SCIAMACHY instrument also allows the retrieval of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4) and CO in the near-IR. Almost all of the tropospheric trace gases have been observed by these instruments for the first time. From satellite data it is possible to investigate their temporal and spatial variation. Also, different sources can be characterized and quantified. The derived global distributions can serve as input and for the validation of atmospheric models. Here we give an overview of the current status of these new instruments and data products and their recent applications in the investigation of various atmospheric and oceanic phenomena.