Ozonesondes: Instrumentation and Data Applications

The ozonesonde instrument, launched on a standard weather balloon along with a radiosonde, has been used for more than 50 years to measure ozone concentrations in the troposphere to mid-stratosphere. The measurement is based on an electrochemical reaction, avoiding associated with optical techniques, and can achieve a 5% or better accuracy and precision when careful preparation and data-processing methods are employed. Instrument details are described and the global ozonesonde network illustrated. The use of the ozonesonde in the complement of ground-based instruments that validate satellite ozone instruments is described. Satellite data in turn help maintain consistency of long-term ozonesonde measurements.