SWARMO3

CoURAGE SWARM: Mobile Ozone Lidar Network

15 June 2025 - 15 August 2025

Lead Scientist: John Sullivan

Observatory: AMF

In summer 2025, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Tropospheric Ozone Lidar Network (TOLNet) will deploy assets to the Baltimore, Maryland region to observe air quality relevant constituents at high spatial and temporal resolutions. The technical focus of this deployment will be using the small mobile ozone lidar (SMOL) to better understand changes in ozone during the SWARM period (Note – a Coincident SMOL will be deployed to Hart Miller Island during this effort). This effort will be conducted in parallel with the DOE-led Coast-Urban-Rural Atmospheric Gradient Experiment (CoURAGE) campaign. Current planned lidar observations will prioritize CoURAGE science during:

• afternoon pre-and post-convection for every case of deep isolated convection near the main ARM Mobile Facility 1 site. This will support estimates of the originating height and effective entrainment rates from convective downdrafts and for quantifying the impact of convective mixing from the free troposphere on the boundary layer ozone budget
• early morning and mid-morning to measure the residual layer ozone above the surface layer that may become entrained into the boundary layer as it grows throughout the morning

In addition to CoURAGE science, planned lidar observations will prioritize supporting air quality and tropospheric composition science during:

• forecasted high-ozone days, when generally stagnant conditions will lead to poor air quality (isolated and multi-day) episodes

These measurements have become the foundation for preparatory measurements in the development of geostationary air quality capabilities (e.g., NASA TEMPO) as well as our continued partnership with the air quality and scientific community through collaborative field measurements and research. Through summer 2025, we aim to build upon new and existing partnerships and collaborations in the air quality and health research community. To ask questions or to get involved, please contact NASA PI John Sullivan.