Determination of smoke plume and layer heights using scanning lidar data

Vladimir Kovalev; Alexander Petkov; Cyle E. Wold; Shawn P. Urbanski; WeiMin M. Hao

doi:10.1364/ao.48.005287

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Determination of smoke plume and layer heights using scanning lidar data

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Vladimir Kovalev, Alexander Petkov, Cyle E. Wold, Shawn P. Urbanski, WeiMin M. Hao

Year:

2009

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1364/ao.48.005287

Source:

Applied Optics. 48(28): 5287-5294.

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Abstract

The methodology of using mobile scanning lidar data for investigation of smoke plume rise and high-resolution smoke dispersion is considered. The methodology is based on the lidar-signal transformation proposed recently [Appl. Opt. 48, 2559 (2009)]. In this study, similar methodology is used to create the atmospheric heterogeneity height indicator (HHI), which shows all heights at which the smoke plume heterogeneity was detected by a scanning lidar. The methodology is simple and robust. Subtraction of the initial lidar signal offset from the measured lidar signal is not required. HHI examples derived from lidar scans obtained with the U.S. Forest Service, Fire Sciences Laboratory mobile lidar in areas polluted by wildfires are presented, and the basic details of the methodology are discussed.

Keywords

smoke plume, lidar data, atmospheric heterogeneity height indicator (HHI)

Citation

Kovalev, Vladimir A.; Petkov, Alexander; Wold, Cyle; Urbanski, Shawn; Hao, Wei Min. 2009. Determination of smoke plume and layer heights using scanning lidar data. Applied Optics. 48(28): 5287-5294.