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

Abstract

Abstract. The Tropospheric Ozone Lidar Network (TOLNet) is a unique network of lidar systems that measure high-resolution atmospheric profiles of ozone. The accurate characterization of these lidars is necessary to determine the uniformity of cross-instrument calibration. From July to August 2014, three lidars, the TROPospheric OZone (TROPOZ) lidar, the Tunable Optical Profiler for Aerosol and oZone (TOPAZ) lidar, and the Langley Mobile Ozone Lidar (LMOL), of TOLNet participated in the Deriving Information on Surface conditions from Column and Vertically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality (DISCOVER-AQ) mission and the Front Range Air Pollution and Photochemistry Éxperiment (FRAPPÉ) to measure ozone variations from the boundary layer to the top of the troposphere. This study presents the analysis of the intercomparison between the TROPOZ, TOPAZ, and LMOL lidars, along with comparisons between the lidars and other in situ ozone instruments including ozonesondes and a P-3B airborne chemiluminescence sensor. In terms of the range-resolving capability, the TOLNet lidars measured vertical ozone structures with an accuracy generally better than ±15 % within the troposphere. Larger differences occur at some individual altitudes in both the near-field and far-field range of the lidar systems, largely as expected. In terms of column average, the TOLNet lidars measured ozone with an accuracy better than ±5 % for both the intercomparison between the lidars and between the lidars and other instruments. These results indicate very good measurement accuracy for these three TOLNet lidars, making them suitable for use in air quality, satellite validation, and ozone modeling efforts.

A method for quantifying near range point source induced O3 titration events using Co-located Lidar and Pandora measurements

“…As part of these efforts, TOLNet lidar teams have collectively developed rigorous instrument procedures and processing algorithms to ensure consistency in O 3 data products and associated uncertainties between instruments (Leblanc et al, 2016a, b). Crosscomparison studies conducted between TOLNet lidar systems (Leblanc et al, 2018;Wang et al, 2017;Sullivan et al, 2015) showed that O 3 profile concentrations typically agree within ±5%, consistent with system specific propagated errors.…”

“…TOLNet lidar systems have contributed to a wide range of atmospheric studies, including DISCOVER-AQ, FRAPPÉ CABOTS, FAST-LVOS, etc. (Wang et al, 2017;Sullivan et al, 2015;Johnson et al, 2018;Langford et al, 2018). As part of these efforts, TOLNet lidar teams have collectively developed rigorous instrument procedures and processing algorithms to ensure consistency in O 3 data products and associated uncertainties between instruments (Leblanc et al, 2016a, b).…”

Air Quality in the Northern Colorado Front Range Metro Area: The Front Range Air Pollution and Photochemistry Éxperiment (FRAPPÉ)

“…Duvall et al () describe an effort to assess the usefulness of low‐cost sensors for ozone and NO 2 for scientific studies. FRAPPÉ measurements were also used to improve the accuracy and applicability of TOLNet (Tropospheric Ozone LIDAR Network, https://www-air.larc.nasa.gov/missions/TOLNet/) measurements for large‐scale air quality studies (Wang et al, ).…”

Acyl Peroxy Nitrates Link Oil and Natural Gas Emissions to High Ozone Abundances in the Colorado Front Range During Summer 2015

“…This residual O 3 will then influence the “starting” mixing ratio as O 3 production begins. There can be considerable variability in this residual O 3 (McDuffie et al, ), but without coincident O 3 LIDAR measurements at BAO such as those during summer 2014 (Wang et al, ), it is difficult to estimate. We also expect that PAN and PPN will remain aloft in the residual layer and that they are likely also entrained into the planetary boundary layer during the next day.…”