Determining the contribution of volcanic ash and boundary layer aerosol in backscatter lidar returns: A three-component atmosphere approach

• Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research Vol. 116; no. D20; pp. 1A - n/a
• Main Authors: Marenco, Franco, Hogan, Robin J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2011
• Subjects: aerosol depolarization ratio; Aerosols; Altitude; Atmosphere; Atmospheric aerosols; Atmospheric sciences; Boundary layers; Electromagnetics; Eyjafjallajökull; Geophysics; Lidar; lidar equation; Optical analysis; Optical properties; Optics; Radiation; Scientific apparatus & instruments; volcanic ash; Volcanoes

A solution of the lidar equation is discussed, that permits combining backscatter and depolarization measurements to quantitatively distinguish two different aerosol types with different depolarization properties. The method has been successfully applied to simultaneous observations of volcanic ash...