The Romanian 3D Atmospheric Research Observatory – Cluj station

The Romanian 3D Atmospheric Research Observatory – Cluj station objective is to research the composition of the atmosphere (gases, aerosols and clouds). Atmospheric processes such as gas and aerosol dynamics, radiative effects, effects on climate, cloud formation are also studied. The laboratory has been in operation since 2009 and is currently integrated into several international aerosol atmospheric research networks: EARLINET – European Aerosol Research Lidar Network; NASA – AERONET – Aerosol Robotic Network.

The mobile laser remote sensing system, the LR231-D300 multi-wavelength Raman depolarization LIDAR, is used to study the planetary boundary layer and atmospheric aerosols. It provides information on the dynamics of aerosol layers in the atmosphere and the planetary boundary layer, as well as the optical scattering and extinction coefficients of the aerosol at multiple wavelengths.

Technical characteristics:

The LR231-D300 multi-wavelength Raman Depolarization LIDAR system is compliant with ACTRIS CARS national aerosol remote sensing facility standards. It features elastic channels at 355 nm, 532 nm, and 1064 nm, as well as RAMAN channels at 387 nm and 607 nm, and a depolarization channel at 532 nm.

Publications:

Nicolae Ajtai, Horațiu Ștefănie, Alexandru Mereuță, Andrei Radovici, Camelia Botezan, 2020, Multi-Sensor Observation of a Saharan Dust Outbreak over Transylvania, Romania in April 2019, Atmosphere, 11(4), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11040364.
Ajtai, N., Stefanie, H., Botezan, C., Ozunu, A., Radovici, A., Dumitrache, R., Iriza-Burcă, A., Diamandi, A., Hirtl, M., 2020, Support tools for land use policies based on high resolution regional air quality modelling, Land-use policy, DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.03.022.
Stefanie, H.; Ajtai, N.; Radovici, A.; et al., 2020, Assessing the long term stability of the depolarization constant for the Cluj station, Conference: 29th International Laser Radar Conference (ILRC) Location: ‏ Hefei, PEOPLES R CHINA Date: ‏ JUN 24-28, 2019, 29TH INTERNATIONAL LASER RADAR CONFERENCE (ILRC 29) Book Series: ‏ EPJ Web of Conferences Volume: ‏ 237,Article Number: 08006, DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/202023708006.

Laboratory manager:

Dr. Eng. Nicolae Ajtai,
email: nicolae.ajtai@ubbcluj.ro

Operational procedure:

Considering the specificity of the LIDAR system measurements, which require the use of special protective glasses, it can only be used under the supervision of authorized personnel, upon request and taking into account weather conditions and the mandatory measurement schedule within the European LIDAR system network it is part of.

It is recommended to schedule measurements 14 days in advance by contacting the laboratory manager, Dr. Eng. Nicolae Ajtai (email: nicolae.ajtai@ubbcluj.ro) or CS III dr. Horațiu Ștefănie (email: horatiu.stefanie@ubbcluj.ro).

The cost of a set of measurements is free, but in case of intensive use, the necessary consumables (laser flash lamp, cooling filter, etc.) must be provided. Data processing is carried out according to the European LIDAR system network EARLINET protocol (https://www.earlinet.org/index.php?id=earlinet_homepage), using the Single Calculus Chain (upon request). Previews of existing measurements can be seen on the website: https://quicklooks.earlinet.org .