Title: Comparison of tethered balloon vertical profiles of particulate matter size distributions with lidar ceilometer backscatter in the nocturnal urban boundary layer

Authors: Derek Van der Kamp, Ian G. McKendry

Addresses: Department of Geography, The University of British Columbia, 1984 West Mall, Vancouver, V6T 1Z2, Canada. ' Department of Geography, The University of British Columbia, 1984 West Mall, Vancouver, V6T 1Z2, Canada

Abstract: A novel ceilometer validation is presented for a nocturnal elevated PM layer observed over Vancouver, British Columbia. The boundary-layer structure was confirmed by both meteorological and PM vertical profiles. This result is especially significant due to the low PM concentrations present during the observational period (a mean PM₁₀ concentration of 10.6 μg m⁻³ was recorded) and suggests that ceilometers are able to resolve boundary-layer structure more subtle than that normally present during periods of poor air-quality. A direct relation between backscatter intensity and PM concentration suggests that not only may these relatively cheap, robust ceilometers be used to elucidate boundary-layer structure, but they represent a promising quantitative alternative to the measurement of PM concentrations that complements existing surface-based instrumentation. This study extends and confirms the growing body of evidence supporting the utility of ceilometers for making detailed, cost-effective measurements of the boundary-layer.

Keywords: urban boundary layers; remote sensing; lidar ceilometers; particulate matter; nocturnal boundary layers; air quality; air pollution; Vancouver; Canada; backscatter intensity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2010.032251

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2010 Vol.41 No.1/2, pp.155 - 165

Published online: 17 Mar 2010 *

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