European Aerosol Lidar Network EARLINET

In 2000, the European Aerosol Lidar Network EARLINET was establish to connect the institutions performing lidar research across Europe. Over the years, EARLINET has been pioneering lidar development, scientific approaches, and established an operational measurement network performing regular measurements including a regular quality assurance. With the establishment of the European Research Infrastructure on Aerosol, Clouds, and Trace Gases ACTRIS, the operational/measurement part of EARLINET moved to ACTRIS to have a sustainable framework for regular research lidars measurements. However, EARLINET remained as network of lidar expertise and science.

The new EARLINET hosts Institutions performing lidar measurements, lidar development and/or lidar research related to atmospheric aerosol and clouds. EARLINET aims to foster scientific exchange, development of new technologies and fundamental research on aerosol and clouds and its interaction. 

Contribution of TROPOS

TROPOS contributes to EARLINET since the beginning. The EARLINET station of Leipzig provides one of the longest data records in the EARLINET data base which is now hosted in ACTRIS. But also with its PollyNET stations TROPOS has been involved as a major contributor to EARLINET. As the role of EARLINET has changed, now TROPOS contributes with its expert knowledge to discussion on lidar technology development and quality assurance to EARLINET as well as with scientific studies utilizing research lidars. Since, 2023, Holger Baars is the speaker of the EARLINET council and works on the transition of EARLINET to a scientific expertise network.

EARLINET observed the persistent smoke layers in the stratosphere after the intense fires in North America in 2017 and showed for the first time the decay pattern