Ezequiel Eduardo Pawelko

Towards an instrumental harmonization in the framework of LALINET: dataset of technical specifications

The Latin American Lidar Network (LALINET) is the aerosol lidar network operating over South America. LALINET is now an operative network performing a schedule of routine measurements and, currently, is composed by 9 stations distributed over South America. The main objective of LALINET is to generate a consistent and statistically relevant database to enhance the understanding of the particle distribution over the continent and its direct and indirect influence on climate. The creation of an un-biased spatiotemporal database requires a throughout review of the network on two pillars: instrumentation and data processing. Because most of the LALINET systems are not series-produced instruments and, therefore, present large differences in configuration and capabilities, attempts for network harmonization and, consequently, optimization are mandatory. In this study a review of the current instrumental status of all LALINET systems is done and analyzed in detail in order to assess the potential performance of the network and to detect networking weaknesses.

Biomass burning aerosol detection over Buenos Aires City, August 2009

At the end of August 2009, a biomass burning aerosol intrusion event was detected at the Laser and Applications Research Center, CEILAP (CITEFA-CONICET) (34.5° S – 58.5° W) at Villa Martelli, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This center has a sunphotometer from the AERONET-NASA global network, UV solar radiation sensors, a meteorological station and an aerosol lidar system. The aerosol origin was determined by means of back-trajectories and satellite images. This work studies the aerosol air mass optical characterization and their effect in UV solar radiation.

Monitoring Aerosol Optical Properties in the ABL, Using Lidar System and Sunphotometer in Buenos Aires, Argentina

At the Lasers and Applications Research Center (CEILAP, CITEFA‐CONICET, (34°33′ S, 58°30′ W), located in an industrial suburb of the metropolitan area (Villa Martelli, Buenos Aires, Argentina), operates a multiwavelength lidar, based on a Nd:Yag laser (Continuum Surelite III P‐IV). This system emits in 1064, 532 and 355 nm simultaneously (10 Hz, 600 mJ @ 1064 nm) and allows the monitoring of the optical aerosols properties in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). On the same experimental site, an AERONET sunphotometer provides the AOT value. An analysis of boundary layer behaviour in some relevant days of March, from the years 2004 to 2006 is presented. On the days analyzed, no aerosols events and clouds were registered over the ABL. Evolutions of some characteristics of the ABL are presented, such as the height of the boundary layer, height of entrainment zone (EZ) and the entrainment flux ratio.