Frequently asked questions AeroCom Web Interface

Observational data stem from ACTRIS, EMEP, GAW, NOAA, AERONET, PHOTONS, SKYNET, NDACC, ESA, NASA and other networks. The data source can be found on Time Series and Profile plots. If several networks are used for a parameter, a menu pops up showing the reference networks.

PIs, instruments, institutions are shown on time series and profile plots based on metadata information provided through EBAS, EARLINET, EMEP. Suggestions to complete these are very welcome !!

The “OBSERVATIONS-ONLY” Category in the Dataset Menu can be used to see (almost) all observations currently available for model-data comparisons.

We use irregular updates. EBAS/EMEP/ACTRIS/EARLINET data are updated every 1-3 months. Aeronet data approxiamtely every year, except AERONET-NRT data (monthly). Not all plots are renewed at all times. You can check for the revision date on time series plots, see lower left below graph (Rev. YYYYMMDD), which represents the date when the data were updated. See also the “image created YYYY.MM.DD HH.MM” tag, which indicates when a particular plot was created.

An overview can be gathered from the SITELOCATION plot

Example and Time series plots Example

Visible on the SCATTERLOG plot Example) and in SCORE pot Example

To share what you see on the aerocom webinterface with a colleague, click on mail-share button upper right, (should open an email with URL link) or click on Button “Show URL link to current”, below images, and copy link from popup window appearing. Use this also to report errors to Michael.

Select a menu and use left/right arrows on keyboard.

Below the images there is a “Filter Models/Stations on year:” menu, which can be used to preselect the models or station time series plots to those from a given year.

Use 2/4/6 panels, push “SYNCHRONISE PANEL” Example

Not yet available, see graph type SCORE table plot.

Most plots are availabile per month, per season, monthly, yearly. Example

Use StatmapBias plots. Example

DIFFMAP plots are available for some parameters.

using two panels, use “synchronise panels” button to see corresponding images Example

Long description is visible by hovering over menu ite, and - if the info text (appearing above image when hovering over image) is not hidden Example

Not all variables make it sometimes into the AeroCom catalogue. If you have specific idea or request, send email to Michael with variable name.

not yet implemented in standard AeroCom. To save space, ideally monthly 3D mixing ratios and profiles @stations (see HTAP-2 format and station list) can be output by the model. Ozone sondes and CALIOP profiles are candidates for near future standard diagnostics.

The year in the menu refers to the observations year used and generally to the meteorology of that year. Year may be different in the model wrt to emissions. Also a model simulation of year x maybe be compared to year y in observations. A different year for the model shows up in eg y-axis of SCATTERLOG file. Note that 9999 is used for a climatology for either model or observations, typically comprising 5-10 years.

yes - all world can see version EMEP_svn4738_141231HF_SuperDuper .

Versions can be removed from website, but that requires email to Jan & Michael.

For daily data analysis, RMS is split into the “spatial” RMS, calculated from monthly/seasonal/yearly averages and the “temporal” RMS, which is the residual (RMS^2temp=RMS^2-RMS^2spatial)

-mountain sites are compared from surface level model output, use relative height