Radical variability determined from LIMS and SAMS satellite data

Using satellite data, the variability of a large number of stratospheric trace constituents can be estimated. These constituents need not themselves be measured by the satellite; their concentrations can be derived using photochemical steady-state relationships. The global coverage provided by the satellite over a long time period means that, for example, monthly zonal mean profiles can be derived. This has been done for H, OH, HO₂, H₂O₂, Cl, ClO, HCl, HOCl, ClONO₂, NO and O. The standard deviation of these quantities is a measure of their variability. We argue that comparing theoretical variability estimates with measurements is a better test of a photochemical theory than simply the comparison of single modelled and observed profiles.