Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Properties of the mixing layer height retrieved from ceilometer measurements in Slovakia and its relationship to the air pollutant concentrations

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Mixing layer height (MLH) is an important meteorological parameter for air quality since it significantly affects ground-level pollution in the atmosphere. This study examined the properties of the MLH on diurnal and seasonal timescales over a 3-year period (2020–2022) using high temporal resolution measurements from eight Vaisala CL31 ceilometers situated around Slovakia. Hourly averaged MLH data was retrieved from the BL-View software using merged method. The highest daily maxima for the MLH occurred mostly in summer and spring, while the lowest values occurred predominantly during winter and autumn. The average MLH daily maximum in summer was 2229 m, and just 859 m in winter. During summer, the spatial distribution of the MLH daily maxima was more uniform compared to winter, when the air masses within the individual valleys did not mix well. Correlations between ground-level pollutant concentrations and hourly mean/daily mean MLH were analyzed. The highest correlation, R≈0.6, was found for O3. For PM10, PM2.5, and NOx, the anticorrelations with MLH were found with maximum in winter (R ≈ − 0.3 for hourly data and R ≈ − 0.5 for daily mean data) but no relation in summer. Lastly, the ceilometer MLH was compared to the radiosonde retrieved MLH for various cloud covers. Our analysis is based on an extensive set of empirical data, which can improve the accuracy and effectiveness of meteorological and atmospheric chemistry models. The findings can support air pollution forecasting and warning systems, providing valuable insights for policymakers and researchers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article [and its supplementary information files].

References

  • Acharja P, Ali K, Trivedi DK, Safai P, Ghude S, Prabhakaran T, Rajeevan M (2020) Characterization of atmospheric trace gases and water soluble inorganic chemical ions of PM1 and PM25 at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi during 2017–18 winter. Sci Total Environ 729:138800

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aron R (1983) Mixing height—an inconsistent indicator of potential air pollution concentrations. Atmos Environ 17:2193–2197. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0004698183902159

  • Aryee JNA, Amekudzi LK, Preko K, Atiah WA, Danuor SK (2020) Estimation of planetary boundary layer height from radiosonde profiles over West Africa during the AMMA field campaign: Intercomparison of different methods. Sci Afr 7:e00228. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227619307896

  • Barlow JF, Dunbar T, Nemitz E, Wood CR, Gallagher M, Davies F, O’Connor E, Harrison R (2011) Boundary layer dynamics over London, UK, as observed using Doppler lidar during REPARTEE-II. Atmos Chem Phys 11:2111–2125

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Biavati G, Feist DG, Gerbig C, Kretschmer R (2015) Error estimation for localized signal properties: application to atmospheric mixing height retrievals. Atmos Meas Tech 8:4215–4230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonin TA, Carroll BJ, Hardesty RM, Brewer WA, Hajny K, Salmon OE, Shepson PB (2018) Doppler lidar observations of the mixing height in Indianapolis using an automated composite fuzzy logic approach. J Atmos Oceanic Tech 35:473–490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Budakoti S, Singh C (2021) Examining the characteristics of planetary boundary layer height and its relationship with atmospheric parameters over Indian sub-continent. Atmos Res 264:105854

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burgos-Cuevas A, Magaldi A, Adams DK, Grutter M, García Franco JL, Ruiz-Angulo A (2023) Boundary layer height characteristics in Mexico City from two remote sensing techniques. Bound-Layer Meteorol 186:287–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Arruda MG, Guerrero-Rascado JL, Bravo-Aranda JA, Foyo-Moreno I, Cazorla A, Alados I, Lyamani H, Landulfo E, Alados-Arboledas L (2020) Study of the planetary boundary layer height in an urban environment using a combination of microwave radiometer and ceilometer. Atmos Res 240:104932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Haij M, Wauben W, Baltink HK (2006) Determination of mixing layer height from ceilometer backscatter profiles, Remote sensing of clouds and the atmosphere XI. SPIE, pp. 158–169

  • Duc HN, Rahman MM, Trieu T, Azzi M, Riley M, Koh T, Liu S, Bandara K, Krishnan V, Yang Y, Silver J, Kirley M, White S, Capnerhurst J, Kirkwood J (2022) Study of planetary boundary layer, air pollution, air quality models and aerosol transport using ceilometers in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Atmosphere 13

  • Duncan JB Jr, Bianco L, Adler B, Bell T, Djalalova IV, Riihimaki L, Sedlar J, Smith EN, Turner DD, Wagner TJ (2022) Evaluating convective planetary boundary layer height estimations resolved by both active and passive remote sensing instruments during the CHEESEHEAD19 field campaign. Atmos Meas Tech 15:2479–2502

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emeis S, Schäfer K (2006) Remote sensing methods to investigate boundary-layer structures relevant to air pollution in cities. Bound-Layer Meteorol 121:377–385

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emeis S, Schafer K, Munkel C (2009) Observation of the structure of the urban boundary layer with different ceilometers and validation by RASS data. Meteorol Z 18:149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eresmaa N, Karppinen A, Joffre S, Räsänen J, Talvitie H (2006) Mixing height determination by ceilometer. Atmos Chem Phys 6:1485–1493

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eresmaa N, Härkönen J, Joffre SM, Schultz DM, Karppinen A, Kukkonen J (2012) A three-step method for estimating the mixing height using ceilometer data from the Helsinki testbed. J Appl Meteorol Climatol 51:2172–2187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García-Franco JL, Stremme W, Bezanilla A, Ruiz-Angulo A, Grutter M (2018) Variability of the mixed-layer height over Mexico City. Bound-Layer Meteorol 167:493–507

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geiß A, Wiegner M, Bonn B, Schäfer K, Forkel R, von Schneidemesser E, Münkel C, Chan KL, Nothard R (2017) Mixing layer height as an indicator for urban air quality? Atmos Meas Tech 10:2969–2988

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grachev AA, Andreas EL, Fairall CW, Guest PS, Persson POG (2012) Outlier problem in evaluating similarity functions in the stable atmospheric boundary layer. Bound-Layer Meteorol 144:137–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grachev AA, Andreas EL, Fairall CW, Guest PS, Persson POG (2013) The critical Richardson number and limits of applicability of local similarity theory in the stable boundary layer. Bound-Layer Meteorol 147:51–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holzworth GC (1964) Estimates of mean maximum mixing depths in the contiguous United States. Mon Weather Rev 92:235–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkin E, Illingworth AJ, Charlton-Perez C, Westbrook CD, Ballard S (2019) A robust automated technique for operational calibration of ceilometers using the integrated backscatter from totally attenuating liquid clouds. Atmos Meas Tech 12:4131–4147

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jones D (1985) Mixing depth in LaTrobe Valley. Clean Air J 19:49–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaimal JC, Finnigan JJ (1994) Atmospheric boundary layer flows: their structure and measurement. Oxford University Press

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kambezidis HD, Psiloglou BE, Gavriil A, Petrinoli K (2021) Detection of upper and lower planetary-boundary layer curves and estimation of their heights from ceilometer observations under all-weather conditions: case of Athens, Greece. Remote Sens 13

  • Largeron Y, Staquet C (2016) Persistent inversion dynamics and wintertime PM10 air pollution in Alpine valleys. Atmos Environ 135:92–108

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee J, Hong J-W, Lee K, Hong J, Velasco E, Lim YJ, Lee JB, Nam K, Park J (2019) Ceilometer monitoring of boundary-layer height and its application in evaluating the dilution effect on air pollution. Bound-Layer Meteorol 172:435–455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lefer B, Haman CL, Morris GA (2012) Seasonal variability in the diurnal evolution of the boundary layer in a near-coastal urban environment. J Atmos Oceanic Tech 29:697–710

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Chu Y, Li X, Dong Y (2020) Long-term trends of global maximum atmospheric mixed layer heights derived from radiosonde measurements. Environ Res Lett 15:034054

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li D, Wu Y, Gross B, Moshary F (2022) Dynamics of mixing layer height and homogeneity from ceilometer-measured aerosol profiles and correlation to ground level PM2. 5 in New York City. Remote Sens 14:6370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lotteraner C, Piringer M (2016) Mixing-height time series from operational ceilometer aerosol-layer heights. Bound-Layer Meteorol 161:265–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minzp (2016) Environmental regionalization of the Slovak Republic 2016, Ministry of environment of the Slovak Republic. Available at: https://www.minzp.sk/files/environmentalna-regionalizacia-sr.pdf. Accessed 16 Sept 2023

  • MOE (2022) The eight national communication of the Slovak Republic on climate change, Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic, Slovak Republic. Available at: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/SVK_8NC_5BR.pdf. Accessed 16 Sept 2023

  • Mor S, Kumar S, Singh T, Dogra S, Pandey V, Ravindra K (2021) Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on air quality in Chandigarh, India: understanding the emission sources during controlled anthropogenic activities. Chemosphere 263:127978

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Münkel C, Eresmaa N, Räsänen J, Karppinen A (2007) Retrieval of mixing height and dust concentration with lidar ceilometer. Bound-Layer Meteorol 124:117–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murthy B, Latha R, Tiwari A, Rathod A, Singh S, Beig G (2020) Impact of mixing layer height on air quality in winter. J Atmos Sol Terr Phys 197:105157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Odintsov S, Miller E, Kamardin A, Nevzorova I, Troitsky A, Schröder M (2021) Investigation of the mixing height in the planetary boundary layer by using sodar and microwave radiometer data. Environments 8:115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pandolfi M, Martucci G, Querol X, Alastuey A, Wilsenack F, Frey S, O’DowdDall’Osto CDM (2013) Continuous atmospheric boundary layer observations in the coastal urban area of Barcelona during SAPUSS. Atmos Chem Phys 13:4983–4996

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parde AN, Ghude SD, Pithani P, Dhangar NG, Nivdange S, Krishna G, Lal D, Jenamani R, Singh P, Jena C (2020) Estimation of surface particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) mass concentrations from ceilometer backscattered profiles. Aerosol Air Qual Res 20:1640–1650

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Piringer M, Joffre S, Baklanov A, Christen A, Deserti M, De Ridder K, Emeis S, Mestayer P, Tombrou M, Middleton D, Baumann-Stanzer K, Dandou A, Karppinen A, Burzynski J (2007) The surface energy balance and the mixing height in urban areas—activities and recommendations of COST-Action 715. Bound-Layer Meteorol 124:3–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samad A, Vogt U, Panta A, Uprety D (2020) Vertical distribution of particulate matter, black carbon and ultra-fine particles in Stuttgart, Germany. Atmos Pollut Res 11:1441–1450

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schafer K, Emeis SM, Rauch A, Munkel C, Vogt S (2004) Determination of mixing layer heights from ceilometer data, Remote sensing of clouds and the atmosphere IX. SPIE, pp. 248–259

  • Schween JH, Hirsikko A, Löhnert U, Crewell S (2014) Mixing-layer height retrieval with ceilometer and Doppler lidar: from case studies to long-term assessment. Atmos Meas Tech 7:3685–3704

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seibert P, Beyrich F, Gryning S-E, Joffre S, Rasmussen A, Tercie P (2000) Review and intercomparison of operational methods for the determination of the mixing height. Atmos Environ 34:1001–1027

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seidel DJ, Ao CO, Li K (2010) Estimating climatological planetary boundary layer heights from radiosonde observations: comparison of methods and uncertainty analysis. J Geophys Res: Atmospheres 115

  • SHMU (2021) Air pollution in the Slovak Republic, Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute, Slovak Republic. Available at: https://www.shmu.sk/File/oko/rocenky/2021_Air_Pollution_in_the_SR.pdf. Accessed 16 Sept 2023

  • SHMU (2022) Climatological and phenological normals for period 1991 – 2020 in Slovakia. National Climate Program of the Slovak Republic, 16. Slovak Republic

  • SHMU 2023 Climatological conditions of the Slovak Republic. Report Number, Institution, Slovak Republic. Available at: https://www.shmu.sk/en/?page=1064. Accessed 19 Sept 2023

  • Štefánik D, Matejovičová J, Krajčovičová J, Šedivá T, Nemček V, Beňo J (2020) Comparison of two methods of calculating NO2 and PM10 transboundary pollution by CMAQ chemical transport model and theassessment of the non-linearity effect. Atmos Pollut Res 11:12–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Štefánik D, Šedivá T (2022) Mean daily concentration profiles of NO2, NO and O3 at national air quality monitoring network in 2010–2020. Meteorological Journal of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute 25(1):41–56

  • Stull RB (1988) An introduction to boundary layer meteorology, 13. Springer Science & Business Media

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Tang G, Zhang J, Zhu X, Song T, Münkel C, Hu B, Schäfer K, Liu Z, Zhang J, Wang L (2016) Mixing layer height and its implications for air pollution over Beijing, China. Atmos Chem Phys 16:2459–2475

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uzan L, Egert S, Alpert P (2016) Ceilometer evaluation of the eastern Mediterranean summer boundary layer height – first study of two Israeli sites. Atmos Meas Tech 9:4387–4398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, Zhang M, Bai X, Tan H, Li S, Liu J, Zhang R, Wolters MA, Qin X, Zhang M (2017) Large-scale transport of PM 2.5 in the lower troposphere during winter cold surges in China. Sci Rep 7:13238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warneck P (1999) Chemistry of the natural atmosphere, 71. Elsevier

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2021) WHO global air quality guidelines: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. World Health Organization. Available at: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/345329. Accessed 16 Sept 2023

  • Yavuz V, Özen C, Çapraz Ö, Özdemir ET, Deniz A, Akbayır İ, Temur H (2022) Analysing of atmospheric conditions and their effects on air quality in Istanbul using SODAR and CEILOMETER. Environ Sci Pollut Res: 1–20

  • Zhang D, Comstock J, Morris V (2022) Comparison of planetary boundary layer height from ceilometer with ARM radiosonde data. Atmos Meas Tech 15:4735–4749

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu X, Tang G, Guo J, Hu B, Song T, Wang L, Xin J, Gao W, Münkel C, Schäfer K (2018) Mixing layer height on the North China Plain and meteorological evidence of serious air pollution in southern Hebei. Atmos Chem Phys 18:4897–4910

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This study has no funding

Author information

Author notes

  1. Duy-Hieu Nguyen and Dušan Štefánik contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ph.D. Program in Maritime Science and Technology, College of Maritime, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 811213, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Duy-Hieu Nguyen & Chitsan Lin

  2. Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute, Jeséniova 17, 833 15, Bratislava, Slovakia

    Dušan Štefánik & Tereza Šedivá

  3. Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská Dolina F1, 842 48, Bratislava, Slovakia

    Tereza Šedivá

  4. Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 811213, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Chitsan Lin

Authors
  1. Duy-Hieu Nguyen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dušan Štefánik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tereza Šedivá
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Chitsan Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Duy-Hieu Nguyen: formal analysis, visualization, writing—original draft, writing—review and editing. Dušan Štefánik: data curation, conceptualization, formal analysis, resources, writing—review and editing, supervision. Tereza Šedivá: visualization, writing—review and editing. Chitsan Lin: writing—review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Duy-Hieu Nguyen.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

Not applicable

Consent to participate

Not applicable

Consent for publication

Not applicable

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Gerhard Lammel

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 2289 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nguyen, DH., Štefánik, D., Šedivá, T. et al. Properties of the mixing layer height retrieved from ceilometer measurements in Slovakia and its relationship to the air pollutant concentrations. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 115666–115682 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-30489-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-30489-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation