Abstract
The fixed LIDAR system at University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Durban was installed in 1999 and operated until 2004. In 2004, the system was relocated and operation closed due to various technical and instrument problems. The restructuring of the LIDAR system was initiated in 2013 and it is now used to measure vertical aerosol profiles in the height range 03-25 km. Here, we describe the present system in detail, including technical specifications and results obtained from a recent LIDAR calibration campaign.
Highlights
INTRODUCTIONBesides their unquestionable importance in atmospheric physics, significant gaps in the scientific knowledge of aerosols (including vertical distributions) especially in the southern hemisphere still exist
Besides their unquestionable importance in atmospheric physics, significant gaps in the scientific knowledge of aerosols especially in the southern hemisphere still exist
There are currently three different LIDAR systems available in South Africa, one is located in Pretoria and a further two in Durban. Both the LIDARs in Durban are operated at University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
Summary
Besides their unquestionable importance in atmospheric physics, significant gaps in the scientific knowledge of aerosols (including vertical distributions) especially in the southern hemisphere still exist. LIDAR systems for atmospheric studies exist in many developed/developing countries, yet found to be a state-of-the-art for South Africa and African countries. There are currently three different LIDAR systems available in South Africa, one is located in Pretoria and a further two in Durban. Both the LIDARs (fixed and portable) in Durban are operated at University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The fixed LIDAR system was installed in 1999 and was operational from 1999 to 2004 under a French-South Africa bi-lateral agreement between the Reunion University and the Service d'Aéronomie (CNRS, IPSL,and Paris) for atmospheric studies. The refurbishment of the system is still on going and currently it is able to perform vertical aerosol profile measurements in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (i.e.,10-35 km).
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