The laser as a tool in environmental problems

This work reports on the use of laser as an efficient tool in environmental studies. Application of LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) and LIDAR-DIAL (DIfferential Absorption Lidar) technologies in the ultraviolet range rela ted with the tropospheric ozone and sulphur dioxide profiles in the surroun dings of Madrid are given. Sulphur dioxide measurements performed in a coal -burning power plant are also presented. Finally, the LIDAR technique is ap plied to study the cloud's density and its temporal evolution. (C) 1999 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.