ABL testbed

ABL Testbed project overview

The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) height defines the volume of air within which heat, moisture and pollutants released at the Earth’s surface are diluted. It is hence important for a wide range of applications, including air quality interpretation, numerical weather prediction, greenhouse gas assessment and renewable energy, amongst others. Still, quantitative knowledge on the temporal and spatial variation in ABL height remains scarce. 

Thanks to recent advances in ground-based remote sensing measurement technology and algorithm development, continuous profiling of the entire ABL vertical extent at high temporal and vertical resolution is now increasingly possible. As dense measurement networks are emerging across Europe and other parts of the world, harmonised operations and data processing are key to effectively monitor the spatial and temporal evolution of the ABL continuously. Advanced processing procedures that account for the diverse instrument capabilities and limitations need to be applied to derive consistent data products.