Aerosols as markers of European capacity for GMES
A large amount of information related to climate or air quality issues emerges from local ground-based or satellite-based instruments from different European monitoring networks. Quantification of atmospheric aerosol distribution and variability in space and time is a major issue in both atmosphere monitoring and evaluation. Specific attention is given to vertical profile of aerosol extinction. Concerted efforts have been made towards implementing common observation schemes of aerosol parameters employing harmonized systems for measuring, modelling and monitoring aerosol distribution. With the aim to increase accuracy of aerosol estimates (tropospheric and stratospheric), a thorough mapping of existing aerosol data in Europe has been performed. An open-source database application software, with detailed information on aerosol observations and model predictions, has been developed. For the first time, a combination of ground-based data coupled with satellite, Lidar observations and modelling inputs is available through a web site interface. A catalogue of maps comprising both modelled and measured data is presented and predictions employing validated models are performed employing simulations at different spatial resolutions. The database is publicly available and serves as reference for both data mining and data aggregation. It is a unique tool for comprehensive search of procedures, techniques, tutorials, etc. promoting the transfer of knowledge between Atmospheric Scientists and Field station Operators. Analyses performed based on the accumulated data gives insights on the European measuring capacity and indicates areas that require improvement towards increasing data repository.
