Description and applications of a mobile system performing on-road aerosol remote sensing and in situ measurements
<p>The majority of ground-based aerosols observations are limited to fixed locations, narrowing the knowledge on their spatial variability. In order to overcome this issue, a compact Mobile Aerosol Monitoring System (MAMS) was developed to explore the aerosol vertical and spatial variabilit...
Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2018-08-01
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Series: | Atmospheric Measurement Techniques |
Online Access: | https://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/11/4671/2018/amt-11-4671-2018.pdf |
Summary: | <p>The majority of ground-based aerosols observations are limited to fixed
locations, narrowing the knowledge on their spatial variability. In order to
overcome this issue, a compact Mobile Aerosol Monitoring System (MAMS) was
developed to explore the aerosol vertical and spatial variability. This
mobile laboratory is equipped with a micropulse lidar, a sun photometer and
an aerosol spectrometer. It is distinguished from other transportable platforms
through its ability to perform on-road measurements and its unique feature
lies in the sun photometer's capacity for tracking the sun during motion. The system
presents a great flexibility, being able to respond quickly in case of sudden
aerosol events such as pollution episodes, dust, fire or volcano outbreaks.
On-road mapping of aerosol physical parameters such as attenuated aerosol
backscatter, aerosol optical depth, particle number and mass concentration
and size distribution is achieved through the MAMS. The performance of remote
sensing instruments on-board has been evaluated through intercomparison with
instruments in reference networks (i.e. AERONET and EARLINET), showing that
the system is capable of providing high quality data. This also illustrates
the application of such a system for instrument intercomparison field
campaigns. Applications of the mobile system have been exemplified through
two case studies in northern France. MODIS AOD data was compared to
ground-based mobile sun photometer data. A good correlation was observed with
<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> of 0.76, showing the usefulness of the mobile system for validation
of satellite-derived products. The performance of BSC-DREAM8b dust model has
been tested by comparison of results from simulations for the
lidar–sun-photometer derived extinction coefficient and mass concentration
profiles. The comparison indicated that observations and the model are in good
agreement in describing the vertical variability of dust layers. Moreover,
on-road measurements of PM<sub>10</sub> were compared with modelled PM<sub>10</sub>
concentrations and with ATMO Hauts-de-France and AIRPARIF air quality in situ
measurements, presenting an excellent agreement in horizontal spatial
representativity of PM<sub>10</sub>. This proves a possible application of mobile
platforms for evaluating the chemistry-models performances.</p> |
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ISSN: | 1867-1381 1867-8548 |