Title: Surface Measurements of PM, VOCs, and Photochemically Relevant Gases in Support of DISCOVER-AQ
Institution(s) Represented: Rice University - Robert Griffin, University of Houston - Barry Lefer
Lead PI: Robert Griffin
AQRP Project Manager: Dave Sullivan
TCEQ Project Liaison: Jocelyn Mellberg
Awarded Amount: $206,815.00
Abstract
Surface Measurements of PM, VOCs, and Photochemically Relevant Gases in Support of DISCOVER-AQ
The City of Houston and Harris County have a long history of air quality issues because of their large population, extensive industrial activity, and sub-tropical climate. These issues predominantly have been manifested through ozone (O3) mixing ratios that exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, recent measurements indicate that Harris County levels for particulate matter (PM), specifically for particles with diameters less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5), are very close to the relevant NAAQS.
In recent years, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has placed considerable emphasis on the use of satellite remote sensing in the measurement of species such as O3 and PM that constitute air pollution. However, additional data are needed to aid in the development of methods to distinguish between low- and high-level pollution in these measurements. To that end, NASA has established a program titled Deriving Information on Surface Conditions from Column and Vertically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality (DISCOVER-AQ). DISCOVER-AQ began in summer 2011 with work in the Mid-Atlantic Coast that featured satellite, airborne, and ground-based sampling. The DISCOVER-AQ program will conduct operations in and near Houston in September 2013.
During the Houston operations of DISCOVER-AQ, there will be a need for ground-based measurement support. This project will fill that need by providing quantitative measurements of sub-micron particle size and composition and mixing ratios of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other photochemically relevant gases such as O3 and oxides of nitrogen (NOx = nitric oxide (NO) plus nitrogen dioxide (NO2)). The instrumentation for these measurements will be deployed using the University of Houston (UH) mobile laboratory.
The measurements made on the mobile laboratory generally will operate in two modes. First, during periods when DISCOVER-AQ flight patterns spiral over a given location, the mobile laboratory will operate at the ground surface beneath these spirals in a stationary mode in which surface air quality parameters are monitored continuously. Additional stationary mode measurements will be made at other locations of interest. When not in stationary mode, the mobile laboratory will be deployed to perform Lagrangian studies of air quality within plumes from major sources of primary pollutants, as well as downwind of the major metropolitan area, to characterize secondary processes at surface level.
Executive Summary: projectinfoFY12_13\13-022\13-022 Executive Summary.pdf
Work Plan: projectinfoFY12_13\13-022\13-022 Work Plan.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\13-022\13-022 Feb 2013 MTR.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\13-022\13-022 Mar 2013 MTR.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\13-022\13-022 Apr 2013 MTR.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\13-022\13-022 May 2013 MTR.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\13-022\13-022 Jun 2013 MTR.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\13-022\13-022 Jul 2013 MTR.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\13-022\13-022 Aug 2013 MTR.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\13-022\13-022 Sep 2013 MTR.pdf
QAPP: projectinfoFY12_13\13-022\13-022 QAPP.pdf
Final Report: projectinfoFY12_13\13-022\13-022 Final Report.pdf
