Relative humidity vertical profiling using lidar-based synergistic methods in the framework of the Hygra-CD campaign

Accurate continuous measurements of relative humidity (RH) vertical profiles in the lower troposphere have become a significant scientific challenge. In recent years a synergy of various ground-based remote sensing instruments have been successfully used for RH vertical profiling, which has resul...

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Main Authors: L. D. Labzovskii, A. Papayannis, I. Binietoglou, R. F. Banks, J. M. Baldasano, F. Toanca, C. G. Tzanis, J. Christodoulakis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2018-02-01
Series:Annales Geophysicae
Online Access:https://www.ann-geophys.net/36/213/2018/angeo-36-213-2018.pdf
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spelling doaj-24455622bc5d4b0291c96d6286a430a42020-11-25T00:24:42ZengCopernicus PublicationsAnnales Geophysicae0992-76891432-05762018-02-013621322910.5194/angeo-36-213-2018Relative humidity vertical profiling using lidar-based synergistic methods in the framework of the Hygra-CD campaignL. D. Labzovskii0A. Papayannis1I. Binietoglou2I. Binietoglou3R. F. Banks4R. F. Banks5J. M. Baldasano6J. M. Baldasano7F. Toanca8C. G. Tzanis9J. Christodoulakis10School of Environmental Science and Engineering, South University of Science and Technology of China, Shenzhen 518055, ChinaLaser Remote Sensing Laboratory, Physics Department, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Zografou, 15780, GreeceLaser Remote Sensing Laboratory, National Institute of R&D for Optoelectronics, Magurele (Ilfov), 07712, RomaniaRaymterics S.A., Spartis 32, Metamorfosi Attikis, 14452, GreeceEarth Sciences Department, Barcelona Supercomputing Center-Centro Nacional de Supercomutación (BSC-CNS), Barcelona, 08034, SpainDepartment of Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2628 CN, the NetherlandsEarth Sciences Department, Barcelona Supercomputing Center-Centro Nacional de Supercomutación (BSC-CNS), Barcelona, 08034, SpainEnvironmental Modelling Laboratory, Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona, 08028, SpainLaser Remote Sensing Laboratory, National Institute of R&D for Optoelectronics, Magurele (Ilfov), 07712, RomaniaSection of Environmental Physics and Meteorology, Department of Physics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 15784, GreeceSection of Environmental Physics and Meteorology, Department of Physics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 15784, GreeceAccurate continuous measurements of relative humidity (RH) vertical profiles in the lower troposphere have become a significant scientific challenge. In recent years a synergy of various ground-based remote sensing instruments have been successfully used for RH vertical profiling, which has resulted in the improvement of spatial resolution and, in some cases, of the accuracy of the measurement. Some studies have also suggested the use of high-resolution model simulations as input datasets into RH vertical profiling techniques. In this paper we apply two synergetic methods for RH profiling, including the synergy of lidar with a microwave radiometer and high-resolution atmospheric modeling. The two methods are employed for RH retrieval between 100 and 6000 m with increased spatial resolution, based on datasets from the HygrA-CD (Hygroscopic Aerosols to Cloud Droplets) campaign conducted in Athens, Greece from May to June 2014. RH profiles from synergetic methods are then compared with those retrieved using single instruments or as simulated by high-resolution models. Our proposed technique for RH profiling provides improved statistical agreement with reference to radiosoundings by 27 % when the lidar–radiometer (in comparison with radiometer measurements) approach is used and by 15 % when a lidar model is used (in comparison with WRF-model simulations). Mean uncertainty of RH due to temperature bias in RH profiling was  ∼ 4.34 % for the lidar–radiometer and  ∼ 1.22 % for the lidar–model methods. However, maximum uncertainty in RH retrievals due to temperature bias showed that lidar-model method is more reliable at heights greater than 2000 m. Overall, our results have demonstrated the capability of both combined methods for daytime measurements in heights between 100 and 6000 m when lidar–radiometer or lidar–WRF combined datasets are available.https://www.ann-geophys.net/36/213/2018/angeo-36-213-2018.pdf
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author L. D. Labzovskii
A. Papayannis
I. Binietoglou
I. Binietoglou
R. F. Banks
R. F. Banks
J. M. Baldasano
J. M. Baldasano
F. Toanca
C. G. Tzanis
J. Christodoulakis
spellingShingle L. D. Labzovskii
A. Papayannis
I. Binietoglou
I. Binietoglou
R. F. Banks
R. F. Banks
J. M. Baldasano
J. M. Baldasano
F. Toanca
C. G. Tzanis
J. Christodoulakis
Relative humidity vertical profiling using lidar-based synergistic methods in the framework of the Hygra-CD campaign
Annales Geophysicae
author_facet L. D. Labzovskii
A. Papayannis
I. Binietoglou
I. Binietoglou
R. F. Banks
R. F. Banks
J. M. Baldasano
J. M. Baldasano
F. Toanca
C. G. Tzanis
J. Christodoulakis
author_sort L. D. Labzovskii
title Relative humidity vertical profiling using lidar-based synergistic methods in the framework of the Hygra-CD campaign
title_short Relative humidity vertical profiling using lidar-based synergistic methods in the framework of the Hygra-CD campaign
title_full Relative humidity vertical profiling using lidar-based synergistic methods in the framework of the Hygra-CD campaign
title_fullStr Relative humidity vertical profiling using lidar-based synergistic methods in the framework of the Hygra-CD campaign
title_full_unstemmed Relative humidity vertical profiling using lidar-based synergistic methods in the framework of the Hygra-CD campaign
title_sort relative humidity vertical profiling using lidar-based synergistic methods in the framework of the hygra-cd campaign
publisher Copernicus Publications
series Annales Geophysicae
issn 0992-7689
1432-0576
publishDate 2018-02-01
description Accurate continuous measurements of relative humidity (RH) vertical profiles in the lower troposphere have become a significant scientific challenge. In recent years a synergy of various ground-based remote sensing instruments have been successfully used for RH vertical profiling, which has resulted in the improvement of spatial resolution and, in some cases, of the accuracy of the measurement. Some studies have also suggested the use of high-resolution model simulations as input datasets into RH vertical profiling techniques. In this paper we apply two synergetic methods for RH profiling, including the synergy of lidar with a microwave radiometer and high-resolution atmospheric modeling. The two methods are employed for RH retrieval between 100 and 6000 m with increased spatial resolution, based on datasets from the HygrA-CD (Hygroscopic Aerosols to Cloud Droplets) campaign conducted in Athens, Greece from May to June 2014. RH profiles from synergetic methods are then compared with those retrieved using single instruments or as simulated by high-resolution models. Our proposed technique for RH profiling provides improved statistical agreement with reference to radiosoundings by 27 % when the lidar–radiometer (in comparison with radiometer measurements) approach is used and by 15 % when a lidar model is used (in comparison with WRF-model simulations). Mean uncertainty of RH due to temperature bias in RH profiling was  ∼ 4.34 % for the lidar–radiometer and  ∼ 1.22 % for the lidar–model methods. However, maximum uncertainty in RH retrievals due to temperature bias showed that lidar-model method is more reliable at heights greater than 2000 m. Overall, our results have demonstrated the capability of both combined methods for daytime measurements in heights between 100 and 6000 m when lidar–radiometer or lidar–WRF combined datasets are available.
url https://www.ann-geophys.net/36/213/2018/angeo-36-213-2018.pdf
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