Ceilometer PBLH VAISALA CL51

In addition to meteorological profiling, the ICOS station features a Vaisala CL51 ceilometer, which provides continuous measurements of cloud base height and aerosol backscatter profiles. The CL51 is designed for high-range cirrus cloud detection and delivers detailed data on low and mid-level cloud layers as well as vertical visibility, even under limited optical conditions. Its advanced single-lens optics and pulsed diode lidar technology ensure reliable performance and long operational life, with full backscatter profiling up to 15 km altitude.

In the context of ICOS, the ceilometer is used to derive Planetary Boundary Layer Height (PBLH), a key parameter for assessing atmospheric stability and vertical mixing. This information is crucial for determining whether the station is sampling within the well-mixed boundary layer directly influencing the representativeness of greenhouse gas measurements. The integration of ceilometer data with meteorological profiles enhances the interpretability of trace gas observations and supports model validation and source attribution efforts.