UV-Visible DOAS Research

The UV-Vis DOAS group

The DOAS group concentrates on atmospheric chemistry related research, based on observations performed using the so-called Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) technique. Retrieval algorithms applied to ground-based and satellite instruments are developed and used to monitor the atmospheric concentration of a number of important trace gases like O₃, NO₂, BrO, OClO, HCHO, SO₂, CHOCHO, etc. These activities are performed in the context of the BIRA-IASB contribution to international ground-based networks (e.g. the NDACC) and to European atmospheric chemistry satellite missions like ERS-2/GOME, SCIAMACHY and GOME-2.

The group is lead by Dr. Michel Van Roozendael. See the members of our group here

Recent highlight  (previous)

 Chemical species in California wildfires observed from space.

During the summer season, forest fires are a natural part of the climate and landscape of the western USA. Recent years have seen a prolonged fire season with increased intensity and extent of the fire events in comparison to a 'normal' season. The 2020 fire season so far has shown intense and widespread fire events and may be registered as one of the worst seasons ever recorded. BIRA-IASB has been following the chemical gas species released from the wildfires by means of the TROPOMI satellite sensor.

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