OWLETS-1: Surface Lidar Data for Coastal Ozone Gradients

OWLETS-1 deployed a unique combination of TOLNet ozone lidars, drones, and ship-based measurements to capture vertical profiles of pollutants over the Chesapeake Bay. The campaign specifically targeted the land-water transition zone from July 5 to August 3, 2017, with twelve intensive measurement days. This dataset provides synchronous vertical measurements of ozone and meteorology from two fixed sites—NASA LaRC (land) and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (water)—enabling the study of pollutant gradients.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical ozone concentration gradients over land versus water using synchronous lidar profiles.
• Modeling coastal pollutant transport and chemistry based on measurements from aircraft, drones, and mobile platforms.
• Validating satellite-derived tropospheric ozone data with high-resolution ground and airborne lidar observations.
• Studying the impact of meteorological conditions on ozone formation at the land-water interface.

Strengths

• Data originates from a focused NASA SIF-funded field campaign with a defined measurement period (July 5 – August 3, 2017).
• Integrates multiple instrument types (lidars, ozonesondes, drones, aircraft) for a multi-platform observational approach.
• Targets a specific and challenging measurement environment—the coastal transition zone over the Chesapeake Bay.

Limitations

• Column names and specific data structure are unknown, limiting immediate analytical use.
• Metadata conflicts exist: one source lists a last update in 2026, while another shows 2018, creating uncertainty about data currency.
• Dataset size and row counts are not provided across any platform.

Provenance

Source

NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) Atmospheric Science Data Center (ASDC), collected during the OWLETS-1 field campaign.

Collection Method

Field campaign measurements utilizing TOLNet ozone differential absorption lidars, mobile platforms, UAVs, ozonesondes, and AERONET photometers.

Time Range

July 5,, 2017 – August 3, 2017 (with twelve intensive days within this period).

Freshness

2026-04-09 23:24:37.544220

Geography

Chesapeake Bay, with primary sites at NASA LaRC, Hampton, VA (land) and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (water).