Remote

An important supplement to stationary measurements can be mobile measurements of atmospheric environment parameters (e.g. air pollution, meteorological and biometeorological parameters, etc.). Such measurements can be performed using drones, car platforms, bicycles and other similar vehicles, as well as on foot. The experience of the team of the WOPAS indicates that the results of such measurements can be used, among others, for recognition of spatial variability of measured parameters on a local and micro scale, recognition of variability of measured parameters outside the area covered by stationary measurements, indication of areas particularly exposed to hazards related to the atmospheric environment.

Within these services, the WOPAS team offers both urban oriented measurements and measurements in mountain areas. Moreover during campaigns the usefulness of sensors can be tested. Mobile measurements provide unique insights into spatial and temporal variability of atmospheric parameters, identifying hotspots and supporting tailored mitigation strategies in both urban and challenging mountainous environments.

Measurement campaigns aim to analyze the variability of plant pollen in the urban atmosphere and its coexistence with air pollutants to determine potential adverse health effects. The planned measurements will include in-situ observations (using the Swissens Poleno Jupiter automatic pollen analyzer and the Burkard-type manual pollen trap) as well as lidar measurements utilizing the fluorescence channel.

Intercomparison campaigns. Comparison, testing, exploitation of any measurement devices with WOPAS instruments that follow ACTRIS protocols (both in-situ and remote-sensing aerosols measurements)  or meteorological equipment. Campaigns can include the testing of usefulness for mobile measurements. These campaigns help users ensure compliance with measuring standards, improve device calibration, and build capacity through hands-on experience.

The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is one of the fundamental part of the atmosphere influencing e.g. air quality, substance transport, etc. In middle latitudes, during radiative weather conditions, it is characterized by typical variability resulting from changes in the radiative balance. Despite the importance of proper parameterization of the boundary layer, particularly in determining the depth of the mixing layer, errors generated by meteorological models can reach up to 100%. Therefore, it is especially crucial to develop an appropriate methodology to fully describe the dynamics of the ABL.

The goal of the measurement experiment is to integrate lidar, sodar, drone, and ground-based measurements to verify assumptions regarding the depth of the mixing height and validate results from atmospheric models. At WOPAS, continuous measurements are conducted using high-power aerosol lidar, monostatic Doppler minisodar, vertical profile measurements with a prototype measurement head installed on a drone, and comprehensive meteorological observations. The integration of multiple measurement methods ensures a robust understanding of ABL dynamics, aiding in the refinement of meteorological models and their outputs, particularly in urban and rural settings

Measurement campaigns enabling the determination of atmospheric aerosol properties using in situ measurements (aethalometer, nephelometer, ultrafine and fine particle distribution spectrometers) and remote sensing techniques (high-power aerosol lidar, photometers) allow for the characterization of aerosol properties. These measurements will be supplemented with data on the concentrations of gaseous pollutants, such as NOx (NO, NO2), ozone, suspended particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), and aerosol chemical composition analysis based on gravimetric measurements.

At the WOPAS platform, comprehensive meteorological measurements are conducted, including the radiation balance in the longwave and shortwave ranges, precipitation intensity and type using an optical disdrometer, wind speed and direction, and temperature gradient measurements up to 14 m above ground level on a meteorological tower. Additionally, the structure of the lower part of the boundary layer is studied using SODAR.

Furthermore, the WOPAS team has extensive experience in modeling atmospheric processes using models such as WRF, WRF-Chem, EMEP, u_EMEP, and ADMS. Methods for applying machine learning in air quality modeling are also being developed.

The campaigns provide data for urban air quality assessments, enabling evidence-based decisions for e.g. health impact assessment, air quality management, and deeper insight into processes favoring haze events.

The remote island of Antikythera in Greece, is a unique marine observatory, being frequently affected by desert dust outbreaks while no significant human activities occur at a distance shorter than 70 km from the site.

The site can be used for training purposes on aerosol and trace-gases in-situ measurements. The site is designed to be operational after 2026 for aerosol and trace gases (including greenhouse gases) in situ atmospheric measurements by combining state of the art online and offline techniques (sampling). Currently, equipment from ATMOS-NOA is transferred to the site by means of the NOA mobile unit to cover the access needs. Training can be offered during research projects and/or instrument testing/comparison (physical access).

The service includes:

• Support for accessing facilities (physical).

• Advice for managing accommodation near the site.

• Provision of workspace for visitors: desk space and internet access (physical).

• Training/hands-on for young scientists/research/ technical personnel on in-situ instrumentation (physical)

• Scientific support for supervision and analysis of collected data (physical, remote).

  SERVICE STATUS: The service will be offered after 2026. The service is currently provided depending on the ATMOS-NOA equipment availability (transport of instrument from Athens to Antikythera). 

  TIME CONSTRAINTS: None for remote access. Limited physical access during the November-March period. 

The remote island of Antikythera in Greece, is a unique marine observatory, being frequently affected by desert dust outbreaks while no significant human activities occur at a distance shorter than 70 km from the site.

The site can be used for research projects on aerosol and trace-gases in-situ measurements. The site is designed to be operational after 2026 for aerosol and trace gases (including greenhouse gases) in situ atmospheric measurements by combining state of the art online and offline techniques (sampling). Currently, equipment from ATMOS-NOA is transferred to the site by means of the NOA mobile unit to cover the access needs. External groups are invited to bring their own equipment. Trips to the island on at least a monthly basis, for 2-3 days, are required for instrument maintenance/calibration.

Physical access includes use of the facilities, as well as help in the preparatory work, and technical and scientific support during the execution (physical or remote after set-up).

The services include:

• Support for accessing facilities (physical).

• Provision of workspace for visitors: desk space and internet access (physical).

• Advice for shipping of materials, transportation, reception and storage of equipment.

• Advice for managing accommodation near the site.

•  Technical support at the facility to fulfill visitor needs and constraints related to installation, deployment and operation of equipment: set-up support, power connections, internet access, storage, security constraints (physical).

• Technical support to remotely operate and audit the external instrumentation (remote after installation).

• Scientific support for supervision and analysis of collected data (physical, remote).

• Unlimited observations and measurements as long as they do not interfere with other projects or instruments availability

  SERVICE STATUS: The service will be offered after 2026. The service is currently provided depending on the ATMOS-NOA equipment availability (transport of instrument from Athens to Antikythera). 

  TIME CONSTRAINTS: None for remote access. Limited physical access during the  November-March period. 

The remote island of Antikythera in Greece, is a unique marine observatory, being frequently affected by desert dust outbreaks while no significant human activities occur at a distance shorter than 70 km from the site.

The site is designed to be operational after 2026 for aerosol and trace gases (including greenhouse gases) in situ atmospheric measurements by combining state of the art online and offline techniques (sampling). Currently, equipment from ATMOS-NOA is transferred to the site by means of the NOA mobile unit to cover the access needs. Trips to the island on at least a monthly basis, for 2-3 days, are required for instrument maintenance/calibration.

The site can be used for comparison and testing of in-situ equipment. The available equipment of ATMOS-NOA is used in combination with external equipment if needed (external groups are invited to bring their own equipment).

Physical access includes use of the facilities, as well as help in the preparatory work, and technical and scientific support during the execution (physical or remote after set-up).

The services include:

• Support for accessing facilities (physical).

• Provision of workspace for visitors: desk space and internet access (physical).

• Advice for shipping of materials, transportation, reception and storage of equipment.

• Advice for managing accommodation near the site.

• Technical support at the facility to fulfill visitor needs and constraints related to installation, deployment and operation of equipment: set-up support, power connections, internet access, storage, security constraints (physical).

• Technical support to remotely operate and audit the external instrumentation (remote after installation).

• Scientific support for supervision and analysis of collected data (physical, remote).

• Unlimited observations and measurements as long as they do not interfere with other projects or instruments availability

  SERVICE STATUS: The service will be offered after 2026. The service is currently provided depending on the ATMOS-NOA equipment availability (transport of instruments from Athens to Antikythera). 

  TIME CONSTRAINTS: None for remote access. Limited physical access during the  November-March period. 

Training on using NOA’s custom algorithm for lidar data analysis. The NOA algorithm is capable of processing the lidar signals and retrieving the lidar products: profiles of the  aerosol and thin clouds optical properties (e.g. particle backscatter and extinction coefficients, lidar ratio, depolarization ratio), water vapor mixing ratio, Angstrom exponent.

The service includes:

Training on using NOA’s custom algorithm for lidar data analysis and product retrievals