Title: Evaluation of dispersion model parameters by dual Doppler lidars over West London, England

Authors: Douglas R. Middleton, Fay Davies

Addresses: Met Office, FitzRoy Road, Exeter, Devon EX1 3PB, UK. ' School of Environment and Life Sciences, Peel Building, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK

Abstract: Urban dispersion models have parameters for the turbulence and mixing height. We identify the parameters in meteorological pre-processors, which are, in principle, measurable by pulsed Doppler lidar. This technique measures radial velocity from the Doppler shifted wavelengths of backscattered laser pulses. First results obtained from single and dual lidar operations are described. Using two scanning lidars increases the range of parameters that can be sensed remotely. Scanned Dual Doppler lidar provides a novel remote sensing method for studying the rural-urban interface. Results are presented from a recent field experiment at an airfield site in West London. Results are compared with data from the Met Office operational dispersion model, NAME, a model using numerical weather forecast data. We show three methods for the urban mixing height. The paper concludes by considering the potential merits of dual-lidar remote sensing of urban dispersion model parameters.

Keywords: dispersion modelling; Doppler lidars; urban meteorology; remote sensing; meteorological pre-processors; mixing height; parameter; wind profile; field experiment; rural-urban transition; London; UK; United Kingdom; air quality; air pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2005.007657

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2005 Vol.25 No.1/2/3/4, pp.80 - 94

Published online: 31 Aug 2005 *

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