Retrieval of PM_2.5 profile using the Doppler Lidar across New York state mesonet

The University at Albany has developed a Mesonet, a network of 17 enhanced sites across the NY state, comprised of Doppler Lidar, Microwave Radiometer and Sun Photometer. The goal of the network is to enhance information content by combining all sensors for Numerical Weather Prediction and air quality forecasting. The vertical profile of PM_2.5 is very important for the study of air quality and its forecasting. The commonly used method only estimates surface PM_2.5, which is based on its relationship with Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from satellite and Sun Photometer. In this study, the relationship of aerosol extinction coefficient retrieved from the Doppler Lidar inversion, with surface PM_2.5 is presented. Then, the PM_2.5 profile is retrieved using the extinction coefficient profile. Three cases of high, low and medium PM_2.5 are presented and compared with surface PM_2.5 measurements. The experiment results show that Doppler Lidar can be used to continuously monitor PM_2.5 profile and hence, the retrieval technique when applied throughout the network is a good sign for real time 3D monitoring of PM_2.5.