Albert Ansmann

Independent measurement of extinction and backscatter profiles in cirrus clouds by using a combined Raman elastic-backscatter lidar

Height profiles of the extinction and the backscatter coefficients in cirrus clouds are determined independently from elastic- and inelastic- (Raman) backscatter signals. An extended error analysis is given. Examples covering the measured range of extinction-to-backscatter ratios (lidar ratios) in ice clouds are presented. Lidar ratios between 5 and 15 sr are usually found. A strong variation between 2 and 20 sr can be observed within one cloud profile. Particle extinction coefficients determined from inelastic-backscatter signals and from elastic-backscatter signals by using the Klett method are compared. The Klett solution of the extinction profile can be highly erroneous if the lidar ratio varies along the measuring range. On the other hand, simple backscatter lidars can provide reliable information about the cloud optical depth and the mean cloud lidar ratio.

Microphysical particle parameters from extinction and backscatter lidar data by inversion with regularization: theory

A method is proposed that permits one to retrieve physical parameters of tropospheric particle size distributions, e.g., effective radius, volume, surface-area, and number concentrations, as well as the mean complex refractive index on a routine basis from backscatter and extinction coefficients at multiple wavelengths. The optical data in terms of vertical profiles are derived from multiple-wavelength lidar measurements at 355, 400, 532, 710, 800, and 1064 nm for backscatter data and 355 and 532 nm for extinction data. The algorithm is based on the concept of inversion with regularization. Regularization is performed by generalized cross-validation. This method does not require knowledge of the shape of the particle size distribution and can handle measurement errors of the order of 20%. It is shown that at least two extinction data are necessary to retrieve the particle parameters to an acceptable accuracy. Simulations with monomodal and bimodal logarithmic-normal size distributions show that it is possible to derive effective radius, volume, and surface-area concentrations to an accuracy of +/-50%, the real part of the complex refractive index to +/-0.05, and the imaginary part to +/-50%. Number concentrations may have errors larger than +/-50%.

Depolarization ratio profiling at several wavelengths in pure Saharan dust during SAMUM 2006

Vertical profiles of the linear particle depolarization ratio of pure dust clouds were measured during the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment (SAMUM) at Ouarzazate, Morocco (30.9◦N, –6.9◦E), close to source regions in May–June 2006, with four lidar systems at four wavelengths (355, 532, 710 and 1064 nm). The intercomparison of the lidar systems is accompanied by a discussion of the different calibration methods, including a new, advanced method, and a detailed error analysis. Over the whole SAMUM periode pure dust layers show a mean linear particle depolarization ratio at 532 nm of 0.31, in the range between 0.27 and 0.35, with a mean Ångström exponent (AE, 440–870 nm) of 0.18 (range 0.04–0.34) and still high mean linear particle depolarization ratio between 0.21 and 0.25 during periods with aerosol optical thickness less than 0.1, with a mean AE of 0.76 (range 0.65–1.00), which represents a negative correlation of the linear particle depolarization ratio with the AE. A slight decrease of the linear particle depolarization ratio with wavelength was found between 532 and 1064 nm from 0.31 ± 0.03 to 0.27 ± 0.04.

Long‐range transport of Saharan dust to northern Europe: The 11–16 October 2001 outbreak observed with EARLINET

The spread of mineral particles over southwestern, western, and central Europe resulting from a strong Saharan dust outbreak in October 2001 was observed at 10 stations of the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET). For the first time, an optically dense desert dust plume over Europe was characterized coherently with high vertical resolution on a continental scale. The main layer was located above the boundary layer (above 1-km height above sea level (asl)) up to 3–5-km height, and traces of dust particles reached heights of 7–8 km. The particle optical depth typically ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 above 1-km height asl at the wavelength of 532 nm, and maximum values close to 0.8 were found over northern Germany. The lidar observations are in qualitative agreement with values of optical depth derived from Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) data. Ten-day backward trajectories clearly indicated the Sahara as the source region of the particles and revealed that the dust layer observed, e.g., over Belsk, Poland, crossed the EARLINET site Aberystwyth, UK, and southern Scandinavia 24–48 hours before. Lidar-derived particle depolarization ratios, backscatter- and extinction-related Angstrom exponents, and extinction-to-backscatter ratios mainly ranged from 15 to 25%, −0.5 to 0.5, and 40–80 sr, respectively, within the lofted dust plumes. A few atmospheric model calculations are presented showing the dust concentration over Europe. The simulations were found to be consistent with the network observations.

EARLINET correlative measurements for CALIPSO: First intercomparison results

A strategy for European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET) correlative measurements for Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) has been developed. These EARLINET correlative measurements started in June 2006 and are still in progress. Up to now, more than 4500 correlative files are available in the EARLINET database. Independent extinction and backscatter measurements carried out at high-performance EARLINET stations have been used for a quantitative comparison with CALIPSO level 1 data. Results demonstrate the good performance of CALIPSO and the absence of evident biases in the CALIPSO raw signals. The agreement is also good for the distribution of the differences for the attenuated backscatter at 532 nm ((CALIPSO-EARLINET)/EARLINET (%)), calculated in the 1–10 km altitude range, with a mean relative difference of 4.6%, a standard deviation of 50%, and a median value of 0.6%. A major Saharan dust outbreak lasting from 26 to 31 May 2008 has been used as a case study for showing first results in terms of comparison with CALIPSO level 2 data. A statistical analysis of dust properties, in terms of intensive optical properties (lidar ratios, Angstrom exponents, and color ratios), has been performed for this observational period. We obtained typical lidar ratios of the dust event of 49 ± 10 sr and 56 ± 7 sr at 355 and 532 nm, respectively. The extinction-related and backscatter-related Angstrom exponents were on the order of 0.15–0.17, which corresponds to respective color ratios of 0.91–0.95. This dust event has been used to show the methodology used for the investigation of spatial and temporal representativeness of measurements with polar-orbiting satellites.

Vertical profiling of Saharan dust with Raman lidars and airborne HSRL in southern Morocco during SAMUM

Three ground-based Raman lidars and an airborne high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL) were operated duringSAMUM 2006 in southern Morocco to measure height profiles of the volume extinction coefficient, the extinction-to-backscatter ratio and the depolarization ratio of dust particles in the Saharan dust layer at several wavelengths. Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) Sun photometer observations and radiosoundings of meteorological parameters complemented the ground-based activities at the SAMUM station of Ouarzazate. Four case studies are presented. Two case studies deal with the comparison of observations of the three ground-based lidars during a heavy dust outbreak and of the ground-based lidars with the airborne lidar. Two further cases show profile observations during satellite overpasses on 19 May and 4 June 2006. The height resolved statistical analysis reveals that the dust layer top typically reaches 4–6 km height above sea level (a.s.l.), sometimes even 7 km a.s.l.. Usually, a vertically inhomogeneous dust plume with internal dust layers was observed in the morning before the evolution of the boundary layer started. The Saharan dust layer was well mixed in the early evening. The 500 nm dust optical depth ranged from 0.2–0.8 at the field site south of the High Atlas mountains, Ångström exponents derived from photometer and lidar data were between 0–0.4. The volume extinction coefficients (355, 532 nm) varied from 30–300Mm−1 with a mean value of 100Mm−1 in the lowest 4 km a.s.l.. On average, extinction-to-backscatter ratios of 53–55 sr (±7–13 sr) were obtained at 355, 532 and 1064 nm.

Vertically resolved separation of dust and smoke over Cape Verde using multiwavelength Raman and polarization lidars during Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment 2008

[1] Multiwavelength aerosol Raman lidar in combination with polarization lidar at Praia (14.9N, 23.5W), Cape Verde, is used to separate the optical properties of desert dust and biomass burning particles as a function of height in the mixed dust and smoke plumes over the tropical North Atlantic west of the African continent. The advanced lidar method furthermore permits the derivation of the single-scattering albedo and microphysical properties of the African biomass burning smoke. A case study is presented to discuss the potential of the technique. The observations were performed during the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment (SAMUM) in January and February 2008. The height-resolved lidar results are compared with column-integrated products obtained with Aerosol Robotic Network Sun photometer. Good agreement is found. Furthermore, the findings are compared with lidar and aircraft observations recently performed in western Africa and with our previous lidar observations taken in tropical and subtropical regions of southern and eastern Asia. The SAMUM case study represents typical aerosol layering conditions in the tropical outflow regime of western Africa during winter season. Above a dense desert dust layer (with an optical depth of about 0.25 at 532 nm) which reached to 1500 m, a lofted layer consisting of desert dust (0.08 optical depth) and biomass burning smoke (0.24 optical depth) extended from 1500 to 5000 m height. Extinction values were 20 ± 10 Mm � 1 (desert dust) and 20–80 Mm � 1 (smoke) in the lofted plume. The smoke extinction-to-backscatter ratios were rather high, with values up to more than 100 sr, effective radii ranged from 0.15 to 0.35 mm, and the smoke single-scattering albedo was partly below 0.7.

Saharan Mineral Dust Experiments SAMUM-1 and SAMUM-2: What have we learned?

Two comprehensive field campaigns were conducted in 2006 and 2008 in the framework of the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment (SAMUM) project. The relationship between chemical composition, shape morphology, size distribution and optical effects of the dust particles was investigated. The impact of Saharan dust on radiative transfer and the feedback of radiative effects upon dust emission and aerosol transport were studied. Field observations (ground-based, airborne and remote sensing) and modelling results were compared within a variety of dust closure experiments with a strong focus on vertical profiling. For the first time, multiwavelength Raman/polarization lidars and an airborne high spectral resolution lidar were involved in major dust field campaigns and provided profiles of the volume extinction coefficient of the particles at ambient conditions (for the full dust size distribution), of particle-shape-sensitive optical properties at several wavelengths, and a clear separation of dust and smoke profiles allowing for an estimation of the single-scattering albedo of the biomass-burning aerosol. SAMUM–1 took place in southern Morocco close to the Saharan desert in the summer of 2006, whereas SAMUM–2 was conducted in Cape Verde in the outflow region of desert dust and biomass-burning smoke from western Africa in the winter of 2008. This paper gives an overview of the SAMUM concept, strategy and goals, provides snapshots (highlights) of SAMUM–2 observations and modelling efforts, summarizes main findings of SAMUM–1 and SAMUM–2 and finally presents a list of remaining problems and unsolved questions.

Scanning 6-wavelength 11-channel aerosol lidar

Abstract A transportable multiple-wavelength lidar is presented, which is used for the profiling of optical and physical aerosol properties. Two Nd:YAG and two dye lasers in combination with frequency-doubling crystals emit simultaneously at 355, 400, 532, 710, 800, and 1064 nm. A beam-combination unit aligns all six laser beams onto one optical axis. Hence the same air volume is observed by all six beams. The combined beam can be directed into the atmosphere from −90° to +90° zenith angle by means of a turnable mirror unit. From the simultaneous detection of the elastic-backscatter signals and of the Raman signals backscattered by nitrogen molecules at 387 and 607 nm and by water vapor molecules at 660 nm, vertical profiles of the six backscatter coefficients between 355 and 1064 nm, of the extinction coefficients, and of the extinction-to-backscatter ratio at 355 and 532 nm, as well as of the water vapor mixing ratio, are determined. The optical thickness between the lidar and a given height can be retr...

Optical properties of the Indo-Asian haze layer over the tropical Indian Ocean

[1] Multiwavelength backscatter and extinction profiling was performed with a unique aerosol Raman lidar at Hulhule (4� N, 73� E), Maldives, as part of the Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX) between February 1999 and March 2000. The Raman lidar allowed a direct determination of the volume extinction coefficient of the particles at 355 and 532 nm at ambient conditions. Heavily polluted air masses from the Asian continent passed over the Maldives during the northeast monsoon seasons. The mean 532-nm particle optical depth was about 0.3; maximum values of 0.7 were measured. Above the polluted marine boundary layer, lofted plumes were found up to 4000-m height. On average, the freetropospheric aerosol layers contributed 30–60% to the particle optical depth. The volume extinction coefficient at 532 nm typically ranged from 25 to 175 Mm � 1 in the elevated layers. The pollution plumes are characterized separately for the air masses from Southeast Asia, North India, and South India. The analysis includes backward trajectories and emission inventory data for India. The extinction-to-backscatter ratio (lidar ratio) at 532 nm was mostly between 30 and 100 sr, and accumulated at 50–80 sr for highly absorbing particles from northern India. The shift of the lidar-ratio distribution for northern Indian aerosols by about 20 sr toward larger values compared to European values is consistent