Title: Collect, Analyze, and Archive Filters at two DISCOVER-AQ Houston Focus Areas: Initial Characterization of PM Formation and Emission
Institution(s) Represented: Baylor University - Rebecca Sheesley and Sascha Usenko
Lead PI: Rebecca Sheesley
AQRP Project Manager: Dave Sullivan
TCEQ Project Liaison: Fernando Mercado
Awarded Amount: $45,972.00
Abstract
Collect, Analyze, and Archive Filters at two DISCOVER-AQ Houston Focus Areas: Initial Characterization of PM Formation and Emission Environmental Chamber Experiments to Evaluate NOx Sinks and Recycling in Atmospheric Chemical Mechanisms
DISCOVER-AQ (Deriving Information on Surface conditions from Column and Vertically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality) is a multi-year air quality research study set to focus on Houston, TX in September 2013. NASA's P-3B and B200 aircraft will be deployed to sample vertical profiles over specific focus areas using a spiraling vertical profile flight plans for selected days during the one month sampling campaign. In this study, we propose to measure elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), and optical black carbon (BC) at two of these vertical spiral sites during the DISCOVER-AQ mission. Baylor University's research group will collect, analyze, and archive particulate filters collected concurrently with DISCOVER-AQ 2013 Houston-based sampling campaign. Specifically, we will continuously measure OC, EC and (BC at two surface sites on each day of the month that the NASA aircraft will be deployed. Collection will occur at two field stations located directly below aircraft focus areas (i.e. vertical profile sites). Results from the carbon measurements taken during the campaign will be disseminated to DISCOVER-AQ investigators and other external research groups. We will also archive particulate filters for future research opportunity. Access to these archived filters will be provided to DISCOVER-AQ investigators and external research groups.
Specific goals of this project are to:
Characterize OC and EC concentrations using fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and total suspended particulate (TSP) air filter samples collected at two of DISCOVER-AQ Houston's focus areas.
Focus areas include ground stations near Katy and H-NET Jones Forest.
Archive filters for two years at -10°C for future research opportunities.
Provide access of filters to DISCOVER-AQ project leadership and external research groups and collaborators.
Measure optical BC using a seven channel aethalometer at the H-NET Jones Forest ground station.
Compare ground-based OC, EC, and optical BC with other aerosol measurements made directly over focus areas on NASA's P-3B and B200 aircraft (i.e. water soluble organic carbon and BC).
Executive Summary: projectinfoFY12_13\12-032\12-032 Executive Summary.pdf
Work Plan: projectinfoFY12_13\12-032\12-032 Work Plan.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\12-032\12-032 Feb 2013 MTR.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\12-032\12-032 Mar 2013 MTR.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\12-032\12-032 Apr 2013 MTR.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\12-032\12-032 May 2013 MTR.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\12-032\12-032 Jun 2013 MTR.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\12-032\12-032 Jul 2013 MTR.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\12-032\12-032 Aug 2013 MTR.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY12_13\12-032\12-032 Sep 2013 MTR.pdf
QAPP: projectinfoFY12_13\12-032\12-032 QAPP.pdf
Final Report: projectinfoFY12_13\12-032\12-032 Final Report.pdf
Publications & Citations
Poster at the American Geophysical Union national meeting (Dec 2013) Initial characterization of surface-based carbonaceous aerosol during DISCOVER-AQ in Houston, TX Rebecca J. Sheesley, Tate E. Barrett, Subin Yoon, Adelaide Clark and Sascha Usenko Poster at the DISCOVER-AQ Science Working Group meeting (Feb 2014) Initial characterization of surface-based carbonaceous aerosol during DISCOVER-AQ in Houston, TX Rebecca J. Sheesley, Tate E. Barrett, Subin Yoon, Adelaide Clark and Sascha Usenko Manuscript in preparation. Submission planned to Atmospheric Environment in summer 2014. Draft title: "Initial characterization of surface-based carbonaceous aerosol during DISCOVER-AQ in Houston, TX."
