From model intercomparison towards benchmark UV spectra for six real atmospheric cases

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

Authors

  • Gunther Seckmeyer
  • M. van Weele
  • Mario Blumthaler
  • Colette Brogniez
  • P.N. Outer
  • Ola Engelsen
  • Jacqueline Lenoble
  • B. Mayer
  • G. Pfister
  • Ansgar Ruggaber
  • B. Walravens
  • Philipp Weihs
  • Brian Gardiner
  • Didier Gillotay
  • D Haferl
  • Arve Kylling
  • W.M.F. Wauben

External Research Organisations

  • University of Innsbruck
  • Innsbruck Medical University
  • National Institute of Public Health and the Environment
  • Norwegian Institute for Air Research
  • University Grenoble-Alpes (UGA)
  • Lille 1 University of Science and Technology
  • Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
  • University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU)
  • Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy
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Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4915-4926
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
Volume105
Publication statusPublished - 27 Feb 2000

Abstract

The validity of a radiative transfer model can be checked either by comparing its results with measurements or with solutions for artificial cases. Unfortunately, neither type of comparison can guarantee that the spectral UV surface irradiance is accurately calculated for real atmospheric cases. There is a need therefore for benchmarks, i.e., standard results that can be used as a validation tool for UV radiation models. In this paper we give such benchmarks for six cloud-free situations. The chosen cases are characterized by different values of solar zenith angle, ozone column, aerosol loading, and surface albedo. Observations are also available for these cases to allow a further comparison between model results and measurements. An intercomparison of 12 numerical models is used to construct the benchmarks. Each model is supplied with identical input data, and a distinction is made between models that assume a planeparallel geometry and those that use a pseudospherical approximation. Differences remain between the model results, because of different treatments of the input data set. Calculations of direct and global transmission and direct and global irradiance are within 3% for wavelengths longer than 320 nm. For the low-Sun cases the calculations are within 10% for wavelengths longer than 300 nm. On the basis of these calculations, six benchmark UV spectra (295–400 nm) are established with a standard deviation of 2%. Relative standard deviations are higher for the lowest absolute intensities at low Sun (5% at 300 nm). The variation between models is typically less than the variation seen between model and measurement. Differences between the benchmarks and the observed spectra are mainly due to the uncertainty in the input parameters. In four of the six cases the benchmarks agree with the observed spectra within 13% over the whole UV spectral region.

Cite this

From model intercomparison towards benchmark UV spectra for six real atmospheric cases. / Seckmeyer, Gunther; van Weele, M.; Blumthaler, Mario et al.
In: Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, Vol. 105, 27.02.2000, p. 4915-4926.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

Seckmeyer, G, van Weele, M, Blumthaler, M, Brogniez, C, Outer, PN, Engelsen, O, Lenoble, J, Mayer, B, Pfister, G, Ruggaber, A, Walravens, B, Weihs, P, Gardiner, B, Gillotay, D, Haferl, D, Kylling, A & Wauben, WMF 2000, 'From model intercomparison towards benchmark UV spectra for six real atmospheric cases', Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, vol. 105, pp. 4915-4926. https://doi.org/10.1029/1999JD901103
Seckmeyer, G., van Weele, M., Blumthaler, M., Brogniez, C., Outer, P. N., Engelsen, O., Lenoble, J., Mayer, B., Pfister, G., Ruggaber, A., Walravens, B., Weihs, P., Gardiner, B., Gillotay, D., Haferl, D., Kylling, A., & Wauben, W. M. F. (2000). From model intercomparison towards benchmark UV spectra for six real atmospheric cases. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 105, 4915-4926. https://doi.org/10.1029/1999JD901103
Seckmeyer G, van Weele M, Blumthaler M, Brogniez C, Outer PN, Engelsen O et al. From model intercomparison towards benchmark UV spectra for six real atmospheric cases. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. 2000 Feb 27;105:4915-4926. doi: 10.1029/1999JD901103
Seckmeyer, Gunther ; van Weele, M. ; Blumthaler, Mario et al. / From model intercomparison towards benchmark UV spectra for six real atmospheric cases. In: Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. 2000 ; Vol. 105. pp. 4915-4926.
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AU - Seckmeyer, Gunther

AU - van Weele, M.

AU - Blumthaler, Mario

AU - Brogniez, Colette

AU - Outer, P.N.

AU - Engelsen, Ola

AU - Lenoble, Jacqueline

AU - Mayer, B.

AU - Pfister, G.

AU - Ruggaber, Ansgar

AU - Walravens, B.

AU - Weihs, Philipp

AU - Gardiner, Brian

AU - Gillotay, Didier

AU - Haferl, D

AU - Kylling, Arve

AU - Wauben, W.M.F.

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