Estimating cloud condensation nuclei concentrations from CALIPSO lidar measurements

Abstract. We present a novel methodology to estimate cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations from spaceborne CALIPSO (Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations) lidar measurements. The algorithm utilizes (i) the CALIPSO-derived backscatter extinction coefficient, depolarization ratio, aerosol subtype information; (ii) normalized volume size distributions refractive indices model; (iii) MOPSMAP (modelled optical properties of ensembles particles) modelling package. For each height bin, we first select aerosol-type specific distribution then adjust it reproduce coefficient derived retrieval. scaled is integrated number concentration, which used in CCN parameterizations calculate at different supersaturations. To account for hygroscopicity continental marine aerosols, use kappa parameterization correct before scaling step. sensitivity variations initial also examined. It found that uncertainty associated with can range between factor 2 3. Our results are comparable obtained using POLIPHON (Polarization Photometer Networking) method coefficients larger than 0.05 km?1. An application case coincident airborne situ measurements independent validation shows promising illustrates potential constructing global height-resolved climatology.