Lidar measurements and wavelet covariance transform method to estimate the atmospheric boundary layer heights in Medellín, Colombia

Abstract

The Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) includes the portion of the atmosphere which is directly influenced by the presence of the Earth's surface, and usually has much higher aerosol concentration than free troposphere above. Lidar system measures the intensity of backscattered light mainly from aerosol particles as a function of distance. Thus, the significant change in the backscatter across the top of the BL provides a means of determining ABL heights. Whereas an urban area situated in a complex mountain valley of Colombian tropical Andean region, we present the first results of estimating the height of the daytime ABL for Medellín city (Lat: 6°15′ 38.37″, Long: -75° 34′ 40.46″, Alt: 1483 m a.s.l.), using the wavelet covariant transform method in processing the elastic backscatter signal collected by a lidar built in Medellín city. © Sociedad Española de Óptica.