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UP: Fachverband Umweltphysik
UP 4: Poster: Atmosphäre und Klima
UP 4.4: Poster
Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 16:30–19:00, Poster B1
Observations of tropical water vapor using a ground-based microwave sensor — •Harry Küllmann1, Bing Tan2, Thorsten Warneke1, Justus Notholt1, Christian Mätzler3, and Niklaus Kämpfer3 — 1Institute of Environmental Physics, University of Bremen, Germany — 2Faculty of technology, University of Suriname, Suriname — 3Institute of Applied Physics, University of Bern, Switzerland
This study presents first results of ground-based measurements of the tropical water vapor content derived from microwave data. The portable TRARA radiometer of the Institute of Applied Physics is operated at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname in Paramaribo and measures continuously since mid of December 2006. The sensor consists of two channels at frequencies of 21 and 35 GHz to observe the integrated water vapor content of the troposphere. The tropospheric opacity is derived from tipping curve calibrations. High variability of water vapor has been found and the results are compared to relative humidity data of radiosonde measurements which are launched about every other week at Paramaribo. In addition, the two-channel radiometer allows the study of the integrated liquid water.