Detection of saharan mineral dust aerosol transport over brazilian northeast through a depolarization lidar

Abstract

In this study we present results of linear volume depolarization ratio profiles obtained by a depolarization lidar in operation in Natal, Brazil. The DUSTER system has 4 channels, namely: 1064, 532 s/p and 355 nm. This system is calibrated with a half-wave plate using the Δ90° methodology. The data obtained from this system is correlated with AERONET sunphotometer data, and, when available, CALIPSO satellite data. In addition a trajectory model (HYSPLIT) is used to calculate backward trajectories to assess the origin of the dust polluted air parcels. The objective is to create a transport database of Saharan dust.