The Potential of Multi-function Airborne Raman Lidar (MARLi) for Observing the Interactions of Atmosphere and Ocean

The coupling of ocean and atmosphere, which are controlled by complex processes in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and the ocean surface layer (OSL), is critical not only for climate but also for weather (especially for hurricane forecast). However, it is a challenging task to observe the properties of ABL and OSL simultaneously to facilitate related process study. The newly developed Multi-function Airborne Raman Lidar (MARLi) offers new potential to better observe ABL and OSL properties.  MARLi can transmit 266 and 355 nm laser with 13 detecting channels covering elastic and Raman signals from atmosphere and ocean when it is pointed nadir.  MARLi offer fine scale measurements of aerosol, temperature, water vapor, and clouds to effectively characterize ABL structures and associated processes controlling them.  Although MARLi signals are quickly attenuated by water, MARLi can offer elastic scattering and liquid Raman scattering in three selected wavelengths in the upper 20m of the OSL.  Wave, whitecaps, and associated sea spray can be detected from elastic signals.  Multi-wavelength water Raman signals contain water temperature and other information. But more efforts are needed to fully utilize MARLi ocean water Raman measurements. Observation examples from MARLi testing flights in June 2016 over coastal California will be presented to illustrate these new observational capabilities.