Global reactive gases forecasts and reanalysis in the MACC project

Abstract

The EU FP7 projects MACC (Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Climate, 2009–2011) prepared for the operational Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) atmospheric core service on greenhouse gases, reactive gases and aerosols which is envisaged to start in 2014. This paper describes the data assimilation and modelling system which has been implemented for global monitoring of reactive gases in the troposphere and stratosphere. The MACC reactive gases system uses a coupling software to integrate the Model for Ozone And Related Tracers, version 3 (MOZART-3) chemistry transport model with the Integrated Forecast System (IFS) of the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The focus is placed on the tropospheric simulations with this MACC-IFS-MOZ model. The MACC reanalysis (2003–2010) and the forecasts performed in near real time (NRT) benefit from the multi-sensor approach for data assimilation of total columns, tropospheric columns and vertically resolved observations of ozone, CO and NO2. Daily biomass burning emissions are integrated in real time using the global fire assimilation system (GFAS) that was developed within MACC. Other emissions are taken from a state-of-the-art global inventory that was developed across several EU projects. The MACC reanalysis and tracer forecasts are routinely evaluated with ground-based and airborne in-situ observations and independent satellite retrieval products. We present the system set-up for reactive gases, give an overview on the service and technical developments during the project, and indicate how MACC global reactive gases products could provide information on non-CO2 greenhouse gases.