The scientist word Since the beginning of last century emitted aerosols has increased dramatically, contributing in a large manner to the Climate change. Anthropogenic pollution sources have also a large impact on human health. In particular very fine particles, under PM2.5, provoke large health problems on the urban population and particularly to children, senior people, or people suffering from asthma or other heart or lung disease.

Some efforts have already been conducted in the main megacities in order to reduce their emissions (e.g. traffic regulations, shift from coal to natural gas for domestic uses ). Anyhow there is still a strong need for air quality forecasting improvement. This will be handled by a better description and understanding of the processes controlling the vertical distribution of aerosols.

The ALS and WLS lidar remote sensors from LEOSPHERE are offering the best solution to tackle these challenges by providing the dynamical structure of the atmosphere along any line of sight. As a result, the EZLIDAR ALS can therefore retrieve automatically and continuously the height of the planetary boundary layer which is controlling the dilution of pollutants. But It can also detect any plume around up to several kms away, and track it. Individual sources of pollution will be then highlighted. Hence, adding some information about the type of aerosols emitted, the EZLIDAR ALS will be able to get the information on the mass concentration.

The WLS provides the profile of wind speed and direction, turbulence and vertical winds, which are of key interest to forecast the formation, transformation and dissipation of pollutants.

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