Durban atmospheric lidar program

Abstract

A brief description and use of two LIDAR (Acronym for LIght Detection And Ranging) systems in the measurements of atmospheric aerosols and vertical temperature profiles above Durban are presented. Early local aerosol profiles for low medium and high altitudes from the old LIDAR are shown. With the recent installation of the new LIDAR, vertical temperature measurements in the troposphere and stratosphere are made possible.A first validation of the new LIDAR has been carried out showing atmospheric wave activity above the Southern African continent for the first time.It is envisaged in the future to correlate the results obtained with the new LIDAR, especially for the low altitude, with those of the old LIDAR. Plans are also going ahead to implement an additional channel on the new LIDAR which will measure ozone concentration in the troposphere.