What can we learn about tropospheric OH from satellite observations of methane?

Abstract. The hydroxyl radical (OH) is the main oxidant in the troposphere and controls the lifetime of many atmospheric pollutants including methane. Global annual mean tropospheric OH concentrations ([OH]) have been inferred since the late 1970s using the methyl chloroform (MCF) proxy. However, concentrations of MCF are now approaching the detection limit, and a replacement proxy is urgently needed. Previous inversions of GOSAT satellite measurements of methane in the shortwave infrared (SWIR) have shown success in quantifying [OH] independently of methane emissions, and observing system simulations have suggested that thermal infrared (TIR) measurements may provide additional constraints on OH. Here we combine TIR satellite observations of methane from AIRS with SWIR observations from GOSAT in a three-year (2013–2015) analytical Bayesian inversion optimizing both methane emissions and OH concentrations. We examine how much information can be achieved on the interannual, seasonal, and latitudinal features of the OH distribution using information from MCF data as well as the ACCMIP ensemble of global atmospheric chemistry models to construct a full prior error covariance matrix for OH concentrations for use in the inversion. This is essential to avoid overfit to observations. Our results show that GOSAT alone is sufficient to quantify [OH] and its interannual variability independently of methane emissions, and that AIRS adds little information. The ability to constrain the latitudinal variability of OH is limited by strong error correlations. There is no information on OH at mid-latitudes, but there is some information on the NH/SH interhemispheric ratio, showing this ratio to be lower than currently simulated in models. There is also some information on the seasonal variation of OH concentrations, though it mainly confirms that simulated by models. Future satellite observations of methane will continue to improve our understanding of methane emissions and consequently [OH] and its interannual variability.