Vertical profiling of Saharan dust with Raman lidars and airborne HSRL in southern Morocco during SAMUM

Three groundâÂ�Â�based Raman lidars and an airborne highâÂ�Â�spectralâÂ�Â�resolution lidar (HSRL) were operated during SAMUM 2006 in southern Morocco to measure height profiles of the volume extinction coefficient, the extinctionâÂ�Â�toâÂ�Â�backscatter ratio, and the depolarization ratio of dust particles in the Saharan dust layer at several wavelengths. Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) Sun photometer observations and radiosounding of meteorological parameters complemented the groundâÂ�Â�based activities at the SAMUM station of Ouarzazate. Four case studies are presented. Two case studies deal with the comparison of observations of the three groundâÂ�Â�based lidars during a heavy du…