Lidar study of high density aerosol clouds: the Aerosol Multi-wavelength Polarization Lidar Experiment

• Main Author: Pisani, Gianluca
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: Italian; English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Eyjafjallajökull
• Online Access: http://www.fedoa.unina.it/9136/; http://www.fedoa.unina.it/9136/2/Pisani_PhD_25_TIMSI.pdf; https://doi.org/10.6092/UNINA/FEDOA/9136

The lidar technique has demonstrated to be one of the best tool to measure and monitor optical parameters of the atmosphere. It can be used, in particular, to evaluate optical and micro-physical properties with high spatial and temporal resolution. The presented study is devoted to investigate the possibility to implement an innovative system for the 4D mapping of the atmosphere. This need derives from the observation that sometimes (in presence of high density layers) the traditional instruments cannot follow the dynamic of signals. The experiments carried out with different typology of lidar instruments have finally led to consider as the best solution the adoption of a high repetition rate laser as transmitter. Interesting applications of this new lidar configuration here presented are the monitoring of volcanic plumes and high pollution aerosol layers. Moreover, results of experimental activities concerning the measurements on volcanic plumes are reported. In fact, in April-May 2010 the Napoli EARLINET lidar station was involved in the monitoring of the Eyjafjallajökull ash cloud. Afterwards, in the framework of a scientific collaboration with National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, a portable lidar system was mounted on the slope of Mt. Etna to study the possibility to install a permanent lidar station. Finally, preliminary results from the new lidar (named AMPLE) apparatus are shown.