This project involves acquisition of a water isotope instrument, trace gas analyzers, and an aerosol size analyzer that together serve as an integrated system to monitor atmospheric chemical composition at Storm Peak Laboratory (SPL), a unique, high-altitude atmospheric research station that experiences almost daily transition from free-troposphere to boundary layer air. The proposed trace gas analyzers for sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon monoxide (CO) will enable correlative measurements to identify sources and transport of anthropogenic constituents in air masses impacting SPL. Carbon monoxide and NOx (NO and NO2) are indicators of anthropogenic combustion sources. While NOx is reactive, CO is relatively stable. The relative abundances of CO and mercury, for example, have been used to identify local versus distant sources of mercury. Recent evidence at SPL indicates that new particle formation occurs frequently. A scanning mobility particle-sizer will extend SPL's aerosol size measurement capability down to 2.5 nanometers, which is essential for identifying aerosol nucleation and the factors responsible for it. Sulfur dioxide is involved in aerosol nucleation, and measurements at trace levels are necessary for quantifying its role. A water vapor/isotopic analyzer will add a new dimension to cloud and precipitation studies at SPL. Acquisition of this instrument will help support recent work showing that isotopes can be used as a proxy for cloud formation temperatures and altitudes.
The research activities enabled by this new instrumentation will involve participation by undergraduate and graduate students plus post-doctoral fellows. SPL also hosts atmospheric science field courses from a multitude of universities for both undergraduate and graduate students. NSF's Opportunity for Enhancing Diversity in Geoscience Program supports field research experiences for a wde-ranging group of undergraduate students at SPL, including partnerships with several Historically Black Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions. The equipment will expand the scope and focus of research conducted at SPL, thereby providing additional opportunities for field training. SPL engenders public outreach through media coverage of the research. Reports have appeared on CNN, NBC, National Public Radio, National Geographic Explorer, local television stations, and in newspapers across the U.S.
Under this Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Acquisition grant, the following instruments were purchased by the Desert Research Institute primarily for use at Storm Peak Laboratory: 1. Picarro Isotopic Water Analyzer, L2130-i 2. TSI Nano Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer including an Ultra-fine Condensation Particle Counter (model 3375) 3. Thermo Scientific Model 49i Ozone Analyzer 4. Thermo Scientific Model 42i-TL nitrogen oxides (NO-NO2-NOx) monitor 5. The Thermo Scientific Model 43i-TLE analyzer for sulfur dioxide (SO2) 6. Peak Laboratories Carbon Monoxide (CO) Instrument As of 2014, all instruments have been installed at Storm Peak Laboratory and are operational. The resulting datasets are enabling new science, as indicated in recently published work. Dr. Hallar has worked closely with the Colorado Department of Pulic Health (CDHP) and U.S. EPA Region 8. These meetings have resulted in an agreement to calibrate and audit all Storm Peak Laboratory trace gas measurements listed above on a bi-annual basis. This is a major investment from CDHP and EPA will ensure data quality and precision from trace gas measurements at Storm Peak Laboratory. These instruments have been used for student training extensively. For example in 2014-2015, all of the following students were introduced to the instrumentation purchased under this MRI. Several students also used data from these instruments in their research projects. Dr. Melanie Wetzel started a new undergraduate course from Embry-Riddle University. This month long course at Storm Peak Laboratory focused on aviation meteorology and was conducted in July 2014. Nine graduate students from Colorado State University visited for a two-day course on atmospheric aerosols both in Febuary 2014 and March 2015. Storm Peak Laboratory is now used for graduate-level hydrology field courses from the University of Colorado and Ohio State University. These students visited Storm Peak Laboratory for a week in March 2015. Storm Peak Laboratory hosted eighteen researchers during this field course.There were twelve graduate students, two postdoctoral researchers, and four professors collaborating and participating with this course. In April 2015, an undergraduate atmospheric science course from the University of Wisconsin also visited Storm Peak Laboratory for one week. This class included seven students and one professor.
