Vertical lidar sounding of atomic mercury and nitric oxide in a major Chinese city

In English Vertical range-resolved measurements of atmospheric pollutants were performed in a major city in southern China, employing a lidar system operating with an optical parametric oscillator transmitter. Recordings of atomic mercury (Hg) and nitric oxide (NO) absorbing in the deep-UV region were taken, yielding concentration profiles only attainable with lidar techniques. In particular, the potential influence of molecular oxygen in low-concentration mercury monitoring was elucidated. Diurnal observations are discussed and presented together with weather parameters.