Altitude and seasonal characteristics of aerosol backscatter at thermal infrared wavelengths using lidar observations from coastal California

A calibrated CO2 lidar has been used to measure boundary layer aerosol backscatter and vertical profiles of tropospheric and lower stratospheric aerosol backscatter over a 1984-1987 time period from a site in Pasadena, California. The lidar data have been taken at two wavelengths, 9.25 and 10.6 microns. Data are presented which show altitude, seasonal, and trend characteristics of backscatter for various air mass histories. Results of trajectory studies indicate the influence of convective activity and other factors on the backscatter profiles.