Abstract
Abstract. A stand-alone lidar-based method for detecting airborne hazards for aviation in near real time (NRT) is presented. A polarization lidar allows for the identification of irregular-shaped particles such as volcanic dust and desert dust. The Single Calculus Chain (SCC) of the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET) delivers high-resolution preprocessed data: the calibrated total attenuated backscatter and the calibrated volume linear depolarization ratio time series. From these calibrated lidar signals, the particle backscatter coefficient and the particle depolarization ratio can be derived in temporally high resolution and thus provide the basis of the NRT early warning system (EWS). In particular, an iterative method for the retrieval of the particle backscatter is implemented. This improved capability was designed as a pilot that will produce alerts for imminent threats for aviation. The method is applied to data during two diverse aerosol scenarios: first, a record breaking desert dust intrusion in March 2018 over Finokalia, Greece, and, second, an intrusion of volcanic particles originating from Mount Etna, Italy, in June 2019 over Antikythera, Greece. Additionally, a devoted observational period including several EARLINET lidar systems demonstrates the network's preparedness to offer insight into natural hazards that affect the aviation sector.
Highlights
During the aviation crisis related to the volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland, in 2010, the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET; Pappalardo et al, 2014) provided range-resolved information to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on a daily basis
The methodology employs single-wavelength EARLINET high-resolution data (i.e., 532 nm calibrated backscatter coefficient and 532 nm calibrated volume linear depolarization ratio) and yields near real time (NRT) alerts based on established aerosol mass concentration thresholds
The application on EARLINET data from the eastern Mediterranean demonstrated the strength of the methodology in identifying possible dangers for aviation from volcanic ash and desert dust plumes
Summary
During the aviation crisis related to the volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland, in 2010, the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET; Pappalardo et al, 2014) provided range-resolved information to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on a daily basis (reports available at: https://www.earlinet.org, last access: 31 October 2019). The time–height evolution of the lidar returns was freely available in near real time (NRT) on the EARLINET website. The lessons learned from the Eyjafjallajökull crisis emphasized the vulnerability of air transportation to natural hazards (Bolic and Sivcev, 2011). As well as desert dust outbreaks, present an imminent threat to aviation as they lead, among others, to poor visibility with considerable consequences to flight operations (Bolic and Sivcev, 2011; Middleton, 2017). The aftermath of an encounter can be immediate, reducing flight safety; it can financially affect the airlines due to higher maintenance costs and the replacement of mechanical equipment
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