Possible impact of the atmospheric water vapor absorption on the total ozone amount

The total ozone amount (TOA) is determined as a rule by classic spectrophotometric method: TOA is found from a measured difference of the atmospheric optical thicknesses at two specially selected wavelengths in the region 305-340 nm. In this region the aerosol and molecular scattering takes place and it is traditionally believed, that the molecular absorption in this spectral region is conditioned only by ozone. Researches performed in the Institute of Atmospheric Optics SB RAS at the end of 1980s have shown, that there is also gentle absorption of a water vapor in this region, which can make a contribution to the measured difference of atmospheric optical thicknesses and can result in some methodical error. Thus, the TOA value which is determined without considering the water vapor, may be overstated.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.