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Journal ArticleDOI

Monitoring of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic aerosol plume over the Iberian Peninsula by means of four EARLINET lidar stations

TL;DR: In this article, the authors performed intensively over the Iberian Peninsula (IP) during the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano (Iceland) in April-May 2010.
Abstract: . Lidar and sun-photometer measurements were performed intensively over the Iberian Peninsula (IP) during the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano (Iceland) in April–May 2010. The volcanic plume reached all the IP stations for the first time on 5 May 2010. A thorough study of the event was conducted for the period 5–8 May. Firstly, the spatial and temporal evolution of the plume was described by means of lidar and sun-photometer measurements supported with backtrajectories. The volcanic aerosol layers observed over the IP were rather thin (

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Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET) as mentioned in this paper was founded as a research project for establishing a quantitative, comprehensive, and statistically significant database for the horizontal, vertical, and tempo-ral distribution of aerosols on a continental scale.
Abstract: The European Aerosol Research Lidar Network, EARLINET, was founded in 2000 as a research project for establishing a quantitative, comprehensive, and statistically significant database for the horizontal, vertical, and tempo- ral distribution of aerosols on a continental scale. Since then EARLINET has continued to provide the most extensive col- lection of ground-based data for the aerosol vertical distribu- tion over Europe. This paper gives an overview of the network's main de- velopments since 2000 and introduces the dedicated EAR- LINET special issue, which reports on the present innova- tive and comprehensive technical solutions and scientific re- sults related to the use of advanced lidar remote sensing tech- niques for the study of aerosol properties as developed within the network in the last 13 years. Since 2000, EARLINET has developed greatly in terms of number of stations and spatial distribution: from 17 sta- tions in 10 countries in 2000 to 27 stations in 16 countries in 2013. EARLINET has developed greatly also in terms of technological advances with the spread of advanced multi- wavelength Raman lidar stations in Europe. The develop- ments for the quality assurance strategy, the optimization of instruments and data processing, and the dissemination of data have contributed to a significant improvement of the net- work towards a more sustainable observing system, with an increase in the observing capability and a reduction of oper- ational costs. Consequently, EARLINET data have already been ex- tensively used for many climatological studies, long-range transport events, Saharan dust outbreaks, plumes from vol- canic eruptions, and for model evaluation and satellite data validation and integration. Future plans are aimed at continuous measurements and near-real-time data delivery in close cooperation with other ground-based networks, such as in the ACTRIS (Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace gases Research InfraStructure Network) www.actris.net, and with the modeling and satellite commu- nity, linking the research community with the operational world, with the aim of establishing of the atmospheric part of the European component of the integrated global observ- ing system.

417 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: PollyNET as mentioned in this paper consists of portable, remote-controlled multiwavelength-polarization-Raman lidars (Polly) for automated and continuous 24/7 observations of clouds and aerosols.
Abstract: . A global vertically resolved aerosol data set covering more than 10 years of observations at more than 20 measurement sites distributed from 63° N to 52° S and 72° W to 124° E has been achieved within the Raman and polarization lidar network PollyNET. This network consists of portable, remote-controlled multiwavelength-polarization-Raman lidars (Polly) for automated and continuous 24/7 observations of clouds and aerosols. PollyNET is an independent, voluntary, and scientific network. All Polly lidars feature a standardized instrument design with different capabilities ranging from single wavelength to multiwavelength systems, and now apply unified calibration, quality control, and data analysis. The observations are processed in near-real time without manual intervention, and are presented online at http://polly.tropos.de/ . The paper gives an overview of the observations on four continents and two research vessels obtained with eight Polly systems. The specific aerosol types at these locations (mineral dust, smoke, dust-smoke and other dusty mixtures, urban haze, and volcanic ash) are identified by their Angstrom exponent, lidar ratio, and depolarization ratio. The vertical aerosol distribution at the PollyNET locations is discussed on the basis of more than 55 000 automatically retrieved 30 min particle backscatter coefficient profiles at 532 nm as this operating wavelength is available for all Polly lidar systems. A seasonal analysis of measurements at selected sites revealed typical and extraordinary aerosol conditions as well as seasonal differences. These studies show the potential of PollyNET to support the establishment of a global aerosol climatology that covers the entire troposphere.

192 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the polarization lidar photometer networking (POLIPHON) method introduced to separate coarse-mode and fine-mode particle properties of Eyjafjallajokull volcanic aerosols in 2010 is extended to cover Saharan dust events as well.
Abstract: . The polarization lidar photometer networking (POLIPHON) method introduced to separate coarse-mode and fine-mode particle properties of Eyjafjallajokull volcanic aerosols in 2010 is extended to cover Saharan dust events as well. Furthermore, new volcanic dust observations performed after the Grimsvotn volcanic eruptions in 2011 are presented. The retrieval of particle mass concentrations requires mass-specific extinction coefficients. Therefore, a review of recently published mass-specific extinction coefficients for Saharan dust and volcanic dust is given. Case studies of four different scenarios corroborate the applicability of the profiling technique: (a) Saharan dust outbreak to central Europe, (b) Saharan dust plume mixed with biomass-burning smoke over Cape Verde, and volcanic aerosol layers originating from (c) the Eyjafjallajokull eruptions in 2010 and (d) the Grimsvotn eruptions in 2011. Strong differences in the vertical aerosol layering, aerosol mixing, and optical properties are observed for the different volcanic events.

130 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show the four-dimensional (4-D) distribution of the Eyjafjallajokull volcanic cloud in the troposphere over Europe as observed by EARLINET during the entire volcanic event (15 April-26 May 2010).
Abstract: . The eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull in April–May 2010 represents a "natural experiment" to study the impact of volcanic emissions on a continental scale. For the first time, quantitative data about the presence, altitude, and layering of the volcanic cloud, in conjunction with optical information, are available for most parts of Europe derived from the observations by the European Aerosol Research Lidar NETwork (EARLINET). Based on multi-wavelength Raman lidar systems, EARLINET is the only instrument worldwide that is able to provide dense time series of high-quality optical data to be used for aerosol typing and for the retrieval of particle microphysical properties as a function of altitude. In this work we show the four-dimensional (4-D) distribution of the Eyjafjallajokull volcanic cloud in the troposphere over Europe as observed by EARLINET during the entire volcanic event (15 April–26 May 2010). All optical properties directly measured (backscatter, extinction, and particle linear depolarization ratio) are stored in the EARLINET database available at http://www.earlinet.org . A specific relational database providing the volcanic mask over Europe, realized ad hoc for this specific event, has been developed and is available on request at http://www.earlinet.org . During the first days after the eruption, volcanic particles were detected over Central Europe within a wide range of altitudes, from the upper troposphere down to the local planetary boundary layer (PBL). After 19 April 2010, volcanic particles were detected over southern and south-eastern Europe. During the first half of May (5–15 May), material emitted by the Eyjafjallajokull volcano was detected over Spain and Portugal and then over the Mediterranean and the Balkans. The last observations of the event were recorded until 25 May in Central Europe and in the Eastern Mediterranean area. The 4-D distribution of volcanic aerosol layering and optical properties on European scale reported here provides an unprecedented data set for evaluating satellite data and aerosol dispersion models for this kind of volcanic events.

91 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report on ground-based lidar observations of the same event from every continent in the Northern Hemisphere, taking advantage of the synergy between global lidar networks such as EARLINET, MPLNET and NDACC with independent lidar groups and satellite CALIPSO.
Abstract: Nabro volcano (13.37°N, 41.70°E) in Eritrea erupted on 13 June 2011 generating a layer of sulfate aerosols that persisted in the stratosphere for months. For the first time we report on ground-based lidar observations of the same event from every continent in the Northern Hemisphere, taking advantage of the synergy between global lidar networks such as EARLINET, MPLNET and NDACC with independent lidar groups and satellite CALIPSO to track the evolution of the stratospheric aerosol layer in various parts of the globe. The globally averaged aerosol optical depth (AOD) due to the stratospheric volcanic aerosol layers was of the order of 0.018 ± 0.009 at 532 nm, ranging from 0.003 to 0.04. Compared to the total column AOD from the available collocated AERONET stations, the stratospheric contribution varied from 2% to 23% at 532 nm.

73 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the transport of aerosol in the troposphere during the 2002 eruption of Mount Etna by integrating lidar observations and numerical simulations, focusing on the period 30 October to 2 November.
Abstract: [1] The transport of aerosol in the troposphere during the 2002 eruption of Mount Etna was investigated integrating lidar observations and numerical simulations. The case study concentrates on the period 30 October to 2 November. The lidar observations performed in Potenza, Italy, reveal the presence of aerosol layers made up of young sulfate particles and a low soot content, characteristic of the volcano's emission. Downward large-scale motion was measured, with a velocity larger than that due to gravitational sedimentation. Forward trajectories from the volcano simulated from 27 October to 4 November show that particles released at the beginning of the period reached Potenza after traveling over the southern and western Mediterranean basin (partially including the Sahara region); direct northward transport occurred on 31 October and 1 November. The main result of this study is to highlight how the integrated use of observations and model simulations leads to understanding the main features of transport in this case study. Furthermore, some specific points are outlined. There is fair agreement between the simulated and observed presence of particles over Potenza. The vertical structure of the aerosol layers and the downward motion are also well evidenced. Time variations of the particle concentration deduced from measurements and approximately estimated from the numerical simulations also show qualitative agreement.

20 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a linear relationship was observed between aerosol surface mixing ratios and ozone at midlatitudes, and the linear correlation persisted from late December 1991 until early March 1992 but degraded by October 1992.
Abstract: Stratospheric in situ aerosol and ozone measurements aboard the NASA-operated ER-2 high-altitude research aircraft from August 1991 to May 1993 provide an opportunity to document the temporal evolution of the correlation between the stratospheric aerosol and the ozone from shortly after the Mount Pinatubo eruption until almost two years later. The observations show that at midlatitudes a linear relationship evolves between aerosol surface (or number) mixing ratios and ozone at altitudes ranging from slightly above the tropopause to 14–16 km. This correlation is linear for values of ozone from 200 to 1300 parts per billion by volume and for potential temperatures between 310 K and 467 K. The linear correlation persisted from late December 1991 until early March 1992 but degraded by October 1992.

17 citations


"Monitoring of the Eyjafjallajökull ..." refers background in this paper

  • ...In the past, volcanic aerosols have been observed by lidars a long time after they have been ejected in the stratosphere (Langford et al., 1995; Borrmann et al., 1995; Wandinger et al., 1995; Di Girolamo et al., 1996) and less frequently in the troposphere (Pappalardo et al....

    [...]

  • ...In the past, volcanic aerosols have been observed by lidars a long time after they have been ejected in the stratosphere (Langford et al., 1995; Borrmann et al., 1995; Wandinger et al., 1995; Di Girolamo et al., 1996) and less frequently in the troposphere (Pappalardo et al., 2004; Villani et al.,…...

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Proceedings ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, two EARLINET Raman and depolarization-lidars were used to measure the Eyjafjallajokull-plume in real-time.
Abstract: Measurements of the Eyjafjallajokull-plume were - from the beginning - continuously conducted at Munich, Germany, with two EARLINET Raman- and depolarization-lidars By means of range corrected signals the temporal development of the ash-plume could be documented in real-time The optical characterization includes the backscatter coefficient at three wavelengths (1064 nm, 532 nm, 355 nm), and the extinction coefficient and particle linear depolarization ratio at two (532 nm, 355 nm) The maximum extinction coefficient was as high as 075km -1 and wavelength independent - a strong indication for large particles The particle linear depolarization ratio was 035-037, indicating non-spherical particles An inversion of the optical data considering the nonspherical shape of ash particles led to a maximum mass concentration in the order of 11 mg/m 3 over Munich, however, relative uncertainties of more than 30% must be expected

17 citations


"Monitoring of the Eyjafjallajökull ..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Pure ash and pure non-ash particle depolarization ratios are reasonably well known asδa= 0.36 andδna= 0.01 (Ansmann et al., 2010; Groß et al., 2010), respectively....

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01 Jan 2009
TL;DR: In this paper, a network of Spanish and Portuguese aerosol lidars (SPALINET) was created to extend and reinforce the action of the EARLINET-ASOS project.
Abstract: To extend and reinforce the action of the EARLINET-ASOS project, a network of Spanish and Portuguese aerosol lidars (SPALINET) was created. In the first three years of the project six out of the ten systems have been successfully intercompared, seven elastic algorithms have also been validated and six Raman algorithms are currently being validated. Now the network focuses on future scientific objectives aiming at performing coordinated measurements.

8 citations

Proceedings ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The European Aerosol Research Lidar NETwork (EARLINET) as mentioned in this paper is the first coordinated lidar network for tropospheric aerosol study on the continental scale.
Abstract: EARLINET, the European Aerosol Research Lidar NETwork, established in 2000, is the first coordinated lidar network for tropospheric aerosol study on the continental scale. The network activity is based on scheduled measurements, a rigorous quality assurance program addressing both instruments and evaluation algorithms, and a standardised data exchange format. At present, the network includes 27 lidar stations distributed over Europe. EARLINET performed almost continuous measurements since 15 April 2010 in order to follow the evolution of the volcanic plume generated from the eruption of the EyjafjallajAƒÂ¶kull volcano, providing the 4-dimensional distribution of the volcanic ash plume over Europe. During the 15-30 April period, volcanic particles were detected over Central Europe over a wide range of altitudes, from 10 km down to the local planetary boundary layer (PBL). Until 19 April, the volcanic plume transport toward South Europe was nearly completely blocked by the Alps. After 19 April volcanic particles were transported to the south and the southeast of Europe. Descending aerosol layers were typically observed all over Europe and intrusion of particles into the PBL was observed at almost each lidar site that was affected by the volcanic plume. A second event was observed over Portugal and Spain (6 May) and then over Italy on 9 May 2010. The volcanic plume was then observed again over Southern Germany on 11 May 2010.© (2010) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

6 citations

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