ASKOS Campaign Dataset

Abstract:The dataset includes measurements from 14 instruments operated during the ASKOS campaign in 2021 and 2022 which are presented herein. A multiwavelength Raman-polarization lidar (PollyXT-type) provides continuous profiles of the particle backscatter and extinction coefficients at 355, 532, 1064 nm, the lidar ratio at 355 and 532 nm, the volume and particle linear depolarization ratios at 355 and 532 nm, the angstrom exponent (355/532 nm, 532/1064 nm), and the water vapor mixing ratio [Engelmann et al., 2016; Baars et al., 2016]. An AERONET sun-photometer provides daytime solar irradiances and aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 8 wavelengths (from 340 to 1640 nm), angstrom exponent (440/870), volume size distribution, refractive index, single scattering albedo, absorption and extinction AOD, asymmetry factor, phase functions at 4 wavelengths (from 440 to 1020 nm) [Holben et al., 1998]. A scanning Doppler wind lidar (HALO-type), provides continuous horizontal wind speed and direction, attenuated backscatter coefficient (1.5 um), and vertical velocity [Pearson et al., 2009]. A microwave radiometer (RPG-type), provided continuous Liquid water path (LWP), and integrated water vapor content (IWV) [Rose et al., 2005]. A cloud radar (RPG-type 94 GHz), provides continuous information on the vertical structure of the clouds (e.g.Doppler velocity, reflectivity, LWC profiles) [Kuechler et al., 2017]. The eVe lidar, which is ESAs ground reference linear/circular polarization lidar system with Raman capabilities, provides profiles of the particle backscatter and extinction coefficients and lidar ratio retrieved using the linear and the circular emission, and the linear and circular depolarization ratios at 355 nm. Additionally, eVe provides the Aeolus-like backscatter coefficient and Aeolus-like lidar ratio for the validation of the Aeolus L2A products [Paschou et al., 2022]. An actinometric platform along with a net radiation instrument provides the total (Global), direct and diffuse shortwave irradiances (280-2800 nm), the net shortwave (300-2800 nm) and longwave (4500-42000 nm) radiation, and the upwelling and downwelling irradiance during daytime. There are various studies using solar measuring broadband detectors for long term changes [Kazadzis et al., 2018] or campaign based specific studies [Masoom et al., 2023]. The polarization lidar WALL-E provides measurements of particle orientation [Tsekeri et al., 2021]. Meteorological radiosondes (DFM-09-type) provide profiles of the atmospheric parameters of temperature, pressure, relative humidity and wind speed and direction [Dabberdt and Turtiainen, 2015]. Moreover, meteorological radiosondes tethered with atmospheric electricity sensors (electrosondes) provide the vertical electric field strength and the space charge density [Daskalopoulou et al., 2021b, Mallios et al., 2023 ]. A ground-based fieldmill electrometer (JCI 131 FM) provides continuous near surface electric strength measurements [Daskalopoulou et al., 2021a]. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the Unmanned Systems Research Laboratory (USRL) of the Cyprus Institute, were equipped with Optical Particle Counters (OPCs) for fine- and coarse-mode height-resolved observations, Compact Optical Backscatter Aerosol Detectors (COBALDs)[Brunamonti et al., 2021] and impactor samplers for collecting particles within dust layers. In particular, the Printed Optical Particle Spectrometer (POPS) [ Gao et al., 2016] and Universal Cloud and Aerosol Sounding System (UCASS) [Smith et al., 2019] OPCs are integrated on-board the UASs and measure aerosol number concentration and size distributions in the diameter from 0.14 to 3.30 um, and 0.8 to 77 um, respectively. In addition, the COBALD is a lightweight sonde that uses two high-power light-emitting diodes (LEDs) operating at 455 nm (blue) and 940 nm (infrared), and detects the backscatter light from air molecules, aerosol, or cloud droplets.