Adrian Timofte

Studies of Planetary Boundary Layer by Infrared Thermal Imagery

The IR camera is a relatively novel device for remote sensing of atmospheric thermal processes from the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) based on measurements of the infrared radiation. Infrared radiation is energy radiated by the motion of atoms and molecules on the surface of aerosols, when their temperature is more than absolute zero. The IR camera measures directly the intensity of radiation emitted by aerosols which is converted by an imaging sensor into an electric signal, resulting a thermal image. Every image pixel that corresponds to a specific radiance is pre-processed to identify the brightness temperature. The thermal infrared imaging radiometer used in this study, NicAir, is a precision radiometer developed by Prata et al. The device was calibrated for the temperature range of 270–320 K and using a calibration table along with image processing software, important information about variations in temperature can be extracted from acquired IR images. The PBL is the lowest layer of the troposphere where the atmosphere interacts with the ground surfaces. The importance of PBL lies in the fact that it provides a finite but varying volume in which pollutants can disperse. The aim of this paper is to analyze the PBL altitude and thickness variations over Iasi region using the IR imaging camera as well as its behavior from day to night and thermal processes occurring in PBL.The IR camera is a relatively novel device for remote sensing of atmospheric thermal processes from the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) based on measurements of the infrared radiation. Infrared radiation is energy radiated by the motion of atoms and molecules on the surface of aerosols, when their temperature is more than absolute zero. The IR camera measures directly the intensity of radiation emitted by aerosols which is converted by an imaging sensor into an electric signal, resulting a thermal image. Every image pixel that corresponds to a specific radiance is pre-processed to identify the brightness temperature. The thermal infrared imaging radiometer used in this study, NicAir, is a precision radiometer developed by Prata et al. The device was calibrated for the temperature range of 270–320 K and using a calibration table along with image processing software, important information about variations in temperature can be extracted from acquired IR images. The PBL is the lowest layer of the troposphere ...

LIDAR Measurements Comparison Of Two Volcanic Eruptions: Environmental Influences Upon The Romanian Territory

Abstract The eruption of both the Eyjafjallajokull (April 2010) and Grimsvotn (May 2011) volcanoes cumulated with two moments that gave headaches to the authorities and air traffic, and their impact on the environment upon Iasi region have been studied by means of different tools evidencing the complexity of the phenomena. In order to evidence the intrusion of pollutants in the cloud systems and to obtain additional data on the intrusion when the ash cloud was over our country, LIDAR measurements, meteorological (NMA), Satellite data (EUMETSAT), and various forecasting models (ECMWF, VAAC-Met Office, HYSPLIT) have been used. The new 3D Atmospheric Observatory Site of the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, as part of RADO (Romanian Atmospheric 3D Observatory) is presented, too.