Yoshitaka Jin

Evolution of a lidar network for tropospheric aerosol detection in East Asia

Abstract. A regional elastic-scattering lidar network called Asian dust and aerosol lidar observation network (AD-Net) has operated for 15 years (since 2001) in East Asia. In this network, the extinction coefficient of aerosols below an altitude of 9 km is continuously obtained when conditions are clear; the coefficient is divided into two parts: dust extinction and spherical extinction coefficients. The dust extinction coefficient has been compared with several parameters measured by other instruments and utilized by various studies, including studies on the epidemiology of Asian dust. Recent expansion of the lidar system at some observatories allows more optical parameters to be retrieved at those observatories. All AD-Net products are used for monitoring global environmental change as an activity of global atmospheric watch lidar observation network.

Characterization of aerosols in East Asia with the Asian Dust and Aerosol Lidar Observation Network (AD-Net)

Continuous observations of aerosols are being conducted with the Asian Dust and aerosol lidar observation Network (AD-Net). Currently, two-wavelength (1064 nm and 532 nm) polarization-sensitive (532 nm) lidars are operated at 20 stations in East Asia. At the primary stations (6 stations), nitrogen vibrational Raman scattering is also measured to obtain the extinction coefficient at 532 nm. Recently, continuous observations with a three-wavelength (1064 nm, 532 nm and 355 nm) lidar having a high-spectral-resolution receiver at 532 nm and a Raman receiver at 355 nm and polarization-sensitive receivers at 532 nm and 355 nm) was started in Tsukuba. Also, continuous observations with multi-wavelength Raman lidars are being prepared in Fukuoka, Okinawa Hedo, and Toyama. A data analysis method for deriving distributions of aerosol components (weak absorption fine (such as sulfate), weak absorption coarse (sea salt), strong absorption fine (black carbon), non-spherical (dust)) has been developed for these multi-parameter lidars. Major subjects of the current studies with AD-Net include data assimilation of multi-parameter lidars, mixing states of Asian dust with air pollution particulate matter, and validation of EarthCARE ATLID based on the aerosol component analysis method.

Development of a multiple-field-of-view multiple-scattering polarization lidar: comparison with cloud radar.

We developed a multiple-field-of-view multiple-scattering polarization lidar (MFMSPL) to study the microphysics of optically thick clouds. Designed to measure enhanced backscattering and depolarization ratio comparable to space-borne lidar, the system consists of four sets of parallel and perpendicular channels mounted with different zenith angles. Depolarization ratios from water clouds were large as observed by MFMSPL compared to those observed by conventional lidar. Cloud top heights and depolarization ratios tended to be larger for outer MFMSPL channels than for vertically pointing channels. Co-located 95 GHz cloud radar and MFMSPL observations showed reasonable agreement at the observed cloud top height.

Aerosol characteristics in Phimai, Thailand determined by continuous observation with a polarization sensitive Mie–Raman lidar and a sky radiometer

Distributions and optical characteristics of aerosols were continuously observed with a polarization-sensitive (532 nm), Mie-scattering (532 and 1064 nm) and Raman-scattering (607 nm) lidar and a sky radiometer in Phimai, Thailand. Polarization lidar measurements indicated that high concentration plumes of spherical aerosols considered as biomass burning smoke were often observed in the dry season. Plumes of non-spherical aerosols considered as long-range transported soil dust from Africa, the Middle East, or Northeast Asia were occasionally observed. Furthermore, low-concentration non-spherical aerosols were almost always observed in the atmospheric mixing layer. Extinction coefficient profiles of spherical aerosols and non-spherical dust exhibited different diurnal variations, and spherical aerosols including smoke were distributed in higher altitudes in the mixing layer and residual layer. The difference can be explained by hygroscopic growth of smoke particles and buoyancy of the smoke. Analysis of seasonal variations of optical properties derived from the Raman lidar and the sky radiometer confirmed that the lidar ratio, aerosol optical depth, and Angstrom exponent were higher in the dry season (October–May) and lower in the wet season (June–September). The single scattering albedo was lower in the dry season. These seasonal variations are explained by frequent biomass burning in the dry season consistent with previous studies in Southeast Asian region. At the same time, the present work confirmed that soil dust was a major aerosol component in Phimai, Thailand.

Validation of the dust layer structure over the Taklimakan Desert, China, by the CALIOP space-borne lidar using ground-based lidar: Part II

A ground-based lidar observation was carried out in the northwest of China to validate the space-borne lidar CALIOP on 23 - 25 March 2009. Combining backscatter profiles of the ground-based lidar and CALIOP, lidar ratio (extinction to backscattering ratio) was retrieved for 532nm and 1064nm wavelengths by using performance function that minimizing the difference between the ground-based lidar and CALIOP for backscattering coefficient. The correlation coefficients between them were 0.98 for 532nm and 0.95 1064nm, respectively. Using the retrieved lidar ratio, the color ratio and aerosol optical depth (AOD) were calculated. The observed aerosols and clouds were classified into three groups (boundary layer dust, free tropospheric aerosol and cirrus cloud) according to a relationship between color ratio and 532nm-backscattering coefficient. We also validate the backscattering coefficient for CALIPSO level 2 data. The result shows that it is underestimated by 21 % compared to this study.

Aerosol monitoring with a lidar observation network in southern South America

In the southern South America, various types of aerosols have been observed including biomass burning aerosols from the Amazon region, flying ashes from the volcanic eruptions coming from the Andean Volcanic Belt, mineral dust from the Patagonian Desert, and air pollution aerosols from urban areas. To monitor such aerosols continuously, we developed a lidar observation network in Argentina and Chile. Eight lidars were installed in Argentina and one in Punta Arenas, Chile. Backscattering signals are measured at three wavelengths: 355, 532, and 1064 nm. Eight of those instruments are measuring depolarization ratio at 355 and 532 nm to detect non-spherical aerosols. In addition, four lidars are equipped Ramans channels and two high-spectral-resolution channels to measure backscattering and extinction coefficients quantitatively. Lidar operation, data analysis, and products release are implemented within the South American Environmental Risk Management Network (SAVER-Net) system, which was developed by a trinational project among Japan, Argentina, and Chile. Using lidar data, hazard information on the aerosol type and extinction coefficient at low altitude is provided for public in a near real time. In addition, plume height and qualitatively concentration for volcanic ashes are estimated. The information on volcanic ashes may be effectively used for advising aircraft landing and departing when volcanic eruptions occurs.

Development of multiple scattering polarization lidar to observe depolarization ratio of optically thick low level clouds

We have examined the characteristic of backscattering coefficient and depolarization ratio that are affected by multiple scattering in optically thick water clouds. We used observations obtained by the Multiple Field of view Multiple Scattering Polarization Lidar (MFMSPL) system. The MFMSPL was the first ground-based lidar that can detect depolarization ratio of optically thick clouds and it has 8 channels, i.e., 4 for parallel channels and another 4 for perpendicular ones and achieved total FOV of 70mrad. The MFMSPL offers a unique opportunity to simulate and study space-borne lidar signals including depolarization ratio such as from Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) lidar. It was shown that the attenuated backscattering coefficient and depolarization ratio constructed by using 8 channel observations by MFMSPL were comparable to the values obtained by CALIPSO lidar.

Measurement method of high spectral resolution lidar with a multimode laser and a scanning Mach–Zehnder interferometer

A simple high spectral resolution lidar technique using a multi-longitudinal mode laser is proposed for measuring aerosol extinction and backscattering coefficients. A scanning interferometer having the same free spectral range as the mode spacing of the laser is used to separate Rayleigh from Mie scattering. Scanning the interferometer in the span of one fringe, the lidar signals at the minimum and maximum Mie-scattering transmission are measured. The Rayleigh scattering signal is analyzed from these signals, and the aerosol extinction coefficient is derived. The interferometer transmittance for Mie scattering is calibrated with the reference signals taken with a portion of the transmitted laser beam.

The Asian Dust and Aerosol Lidar Observation Network (AD-Net)

Asian dust and air pollution aerosols are continuously observed at ~20 locations in East Asia using polarization sensitive multi-wavelength lidars. The data from the network are processed and published in near realtime.

Development of a high-spectral-resolution lidar for continuous observation of aerosols in South America

Continuous monitoring of aerosol profiles using lidar is helpful for a quasi-real-time indication of aerosol concentration. For instance, volcanic ash concentration and its height distribution are essential information for plane flights. Depolarization ratio and multi-wavelength measurements are useful for characterizing aerosol types such as volcanic ash, smoke, dust, sea-salt, and air pollution aerosols. High spectral resolution lidar (HSRL) and Raman scattering lidar can contribute to such aerosol characterization significantly since extinction coefficients can be measured independently from backscattering coefficients. In particular, HSRL can measure aerosol extinction during daytime and nighttime with a high sensitivity. We developed an HSRL with the iodine filter method for continuous observation of aerosols at 532nm in the northern region of Argentina in the framework of the South American Environmental Atmospheric Risk Management Network (SAVER.Net)/SATREPS project. The laser wavelength of the HSRL was controlled by a feedback system to tune the laser wavelength to the center of an iodine absorption line. The stability of the laser wavelength with the system satisfied the requirement showing very small systematic errors in the retrieval of extinction and backscatter.