On the use of lidar images of smoke plumes to measure dispersion parameters in the stable boundary layer

In this note a methodology is presented for measuring dispersion parameters based on lidar images, which can be used as an efficient way to remotely monitor time variations of plume dispersion parameters. Lidar images of a smoke plume cross section over a forest canopy during nighttime conditions are analyzed to estimate vertical dispersion parameters and vertical meander of the plume centerline in the near field. Dispersion parameters 60 m downwind are found to have a median value of 2.31 m, with values ranging from a minimum of 0.56 m to a maximum of 5.45 m. Measurements of these parameters have not previously been made outside the restraints of a wind tunnel experiment.