ACTRIS is building a new research infrastructure by merging four different measurement networks (see map below):
- The European Aerosol Research Lidar Network for remote sensing of the vertical aerosol distribution (EARLINET) which includes 27 lidar stations (Raman lidar stations, multi-wave Raman lidar stations, back-scatter raman lidar stations).
- The European Supersites for Atmospheric Aerosol research for in-situ measurements of chemical, physical and optical properties of aerosols (EUSAAR) including 20 ground-based EUSAAR stations and 10 contribution stations.
- A ground-based monitoring capacity for short-lived trace gases including 20 ground-based stations.
- A distributed infrastructure for clouds and aerosol quality-controlled observations with 4 continuously observing and 3 new stations.
Map of ACTRIS stations.
The networks already provide consistent datasets of observations which
are made using state-of-the-art measurement technology and data
processing. Many of the stations from the different networks are
co-located with or close to remote sensing and in-situ instrumentation.
ACTRIS comprises furthermore a NRT network with 28 stations (20 European
stations), 90 instruments (31 Euroepan), and 5 instrument types
(aerosol microphysical & optical propoerties).
The sites are shared with other networks (e.g., ICOS, EMEP, InGOS) and other international sites.