Quantifying TOLNet Ozone Lidar Accuracy during the 2014 DISCOVER-AQ and FRAPPÉ Campaigns

Area of Science:

• Atmospheric Science
• Remote Sensing
• Air Quality Monitoring

Background:

• The Tropospheric Ozone Lidar Network (TOLNet) comprises lidar systems for high-resolution atmospheric ozone profiling.
• Accurate cross-instrument calibration is crucial for network uniformity.
• Ozone measurements are vital for air quality assessment and satellite validation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To intercompare the performance of three TOLNet lidars: TROPOZ, TOPAZ, and LMOL.
• To assess the accuracy of lidar ozone measurements against in situ instruments.
• To validate the suitability of TOLNet lidars for air quality and modeling applications.

Main Methods:

• Three TOLNet lidars (TROPOZ, TOPAZ, LMOL) participated in the DISCOVER-AQ and FRAPPÉ missions.
• Lidar data were intercompared among themselves and with ozonesondes and P-3B airborne sensors.
• Analysis focused on range-resolved vertical profiles and column-averaged ozone concentrations.

Main Results:

• TOLNet lidars achieved better than ±15% accuracy for vertical ozone structures within the troposphere.
• Larger differences were observed at specific altitudes, as expected.
• Column-averaged ozone measurements showed accuracy better than ±5% in intercomparisons.

Conclusions:

• The TROPOZ, TOPAZ, and LMOL lidars exhibit high measurement accuracy.
• These findings support the use of TOLNet data for air quality research, satellite validation, and ozone modeling.
• The study confirms the reliability and uniformity of the TOLNet system.