The international Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) comprises more than 70 high-quality, research stations for observing and understanding the physical and chemical state of the upper troposphere, stratosphere and mesosphere, and for assessing the impact of changes in the stratosphere on the underlying troposphere and on global climate. While the NDACC remains committed to monitoring changes in the stratosphere with an emphasis on the long-term evolution of the ozone layer, its priorities have broadened considerably to encompass issues such as the detection of trends in overall atmospheric composition and understanding their impacts on the stratosphere and troposphere, and establishing links between climate change and atmospheric composition.

As part of NDACC, about thirty groundbased lidar instruments deployed worldwide are monitoring atmospheric ozone, temperature, aerosols, water vapour, and polar stratospheric clouds. Lidar, a laser-based active remote sensing technique has been used widely for several decades in environmental science and chemistry, and has contributed significantly to the validation of space-based measurements. More than forty scientists and engineers from around the world form the NDACC Lidar Working Group (LWG) to contribute to the network activities.

To ensure quality and consistency of the NDACC lidars operation and products, a number of protocols have been formulated covering such topics as validation, measurements and instruments intercomparisons, and theory and analysis. The members of the NDACC LWG are committed to follow the principles of these protocols, and the LWG meets every two years to review and coordinate the activities necessary to the valuable contribution of the lidars to NDACC. A collection of our activities can be found here.

The NDACC Lidar Working Group Website is hosted by the JPL-TMF Lidar Group.

Where are the NDACC lidars located?

What measurements do lidars contribute to NDACC?