Sensitivity of radiometric measurements of the atmospheric CO2 column from space

Anthropogenic emissions of CO2 over the past century has altered significantly the global carbon cycle. Our understanding of the long-term climatic effects of these emissions would be improved greatly by satellite-based remote sounding of CO2. We provide an initial analysis of a simple satellite-based filter radiometer tuned to the spectral region around 6300 cm(-1) (approximate to1.6 mum) to measure the atmospheric column of CO2 from space. We find that such an instrument has potential and that the sensitivity would be limited by our knowledge of the tropospheric temperature and water-vapor profiles. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America