ECHO – Enhancing Continental-Scale Aerosol Vertical Characterization through Harmonized Observations
- Reference: PID2024-162154OB-I00
- Funding agency: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
- Principal Investigators: Francisco Navas Guzmán and Daniel Pérez Ramírez (University of Granada)
- Project period: 01/09/2025 – 31/08/2028
- Total budget: 217,500.00 €
Project description
The ECHO project aims to advance the characterization of atmospheric aerosols, which are key components of the Earth’s climate system and air quality, by developing innovative methodologies that integrate ground-based, airborne, and satellite remote sensing observations. Aerosols play a critical role in radiative forcing, cloud formation, and human health; however, their vertical distribution and spatiotemporal variability remain poorly constrained.
ECHO builds on the synergy between active and passive remote sensing techniques, combining measurements from ceilometers, sun-photometers, multi-wavelength lidar systems, and satellite missions. These observations will be complemented by targeted experimental campaigns using advanced ground-based infrastructure, such as the Raman Lidar Alhambra, and drone-based platforms equipped with miniaturized sensors, including mini-IMAP and particle counters.
A central objective of the project is the high-resolution vertical profiling of aerosol properties, particularly over regions with complex topography such as southeastern Spain, which serves as a natural laboratory for the study of diverse aerosol types. Novel multi-wavelength backscatter and absorption techniques will be applied to retrieve aerosol optical and microphysical properties, contributing to improved aerosol representation in climate models and to the validation of satellite missions such as ESA’s EarthCARE.
The project also has a strong training and capacity-building component, supporting early-career researchers through participation in the University of Granada’s Master’s Program in Geophysics and Meteorology, research stays at leading international institutions (e.g., NASA and MeteoSwiss), and active involvement in international research infrastructures such as ACTRIS and AERONET.
By enhancing aerosol retrieval methodologies at a continental scale, ECHO contributes to global efforts to improve climate predictions, advance the understanding of aerosol–cloud interactions, and assess aerosol-related environmental and health impacts.
Figure 1. a) GRASP versatile applications scheme and possible aerosol and surface products and b) Scheme of four main pillars of the proposal