1. A method of providing parameterized representation of geophysical functions for use in retrieving the geophysical functions from remote sensing data, said method comprising: a) obtaining samples of atmospheric profiles; b) extracting shape information from the sample profiles; c) embedding the shape information in a parametric discrete grid-based profile representation model (forward model); d) performing processing to fit the forward model to sample profiles to obtain fitted forward model; and e) retrieving species concentration profiles from the fitted forward model.