Atmospheric Physics Studies using the MPLCAN Network of Lidars
Supervisor: Dr. Bob Sica
Can extend to MSc?: Yes
Project Description (Abstract):
To improve our understanding of the transport of particulates, as well as studying the impact of these particulates on interpreting ozone trends and their role in the formation of fog and clouds, we have established 4 nodes in the new Canadian Micro-Pulse Lidar Network (MPLCAN; https://www.uwo.ca/sci/mplcan/). The MPLs are currently deployed to London, ON, Sherbrooke, Halifax, and in the High Arctic (Eureka, NU). A fifth MPL already established in Toronto has joined the network. In the coming year we will add 2 mode nodes, one at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station in Cambridge Bay and the other at the Environment and Climate Change Canada site at Iqaluit.
These instruments are part of the global NASA Micro-pulse Lidar Network. These sites also have co-located CIMEL sun photometers for aerosol measurements as part of NASA’s AERONET program, measurements which complement and enhance the scientific studies possible with the micro-pulse lidar (MPL) measurements. The MPLs will allow the structure of the atmosphere to be profiled in both height and time, for both the amount and type of particulates present, in addition to allowing liquid water to be discriminated from ice in developing clouds, precipitation, and fog. We also measure layers of smoke particles in the upper troposphere and stratosphere (> 10 km altitude) associated with distant forest fires, injected into the stratosphere via a process called pyroconvection. The smoke particles can travel great distances, and affect both ozone concentration and temperature. With the number and severity of forest fires increasing, forest fires play a more complex role in global warming than anticipated, and we are trying to understand these effects.
Student projects will use these lidar measurements along with simultaneous measurements from CIMEL sun photometers and PurpleAir PM2.5 air quality sensors to learn about atmospheric physics and develop scientific skills in area including data processing, analysis, calibration/validation, and modelling.
