MRI: Acquisition of New Generation of Aerosol, Trace Gas, and Water Isotope Instruments for Storm Peak Laboratory

MRI：为 Storm Peak 实验室采购新一代气溶胶、痕量气体和水同位素仪器

• 批准号: 1040085
• 负责人: Anna Gannet Hallar
• 金额: $ 21.79万
• 依托单位: Nevada System of Higher Education, Desert Research Institute
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-04-01 至 2015-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1040085&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: MRI; Acquisition; New; Generation; Aerosol

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.

该项目包括购置一台水同位素仪器、微量气体分析仪和一台气溶胶粒度分析仪，这些仪器一起作为一个综合系统，在风暴峰实验室监测大气化学成分，该实验室是一个独特的高空大气研究站，几乎每天都经历从自由对流层到边界层空气的过渡。拟议的二氧化硫（SO2）、氮氧化物（NOx）和一氧化碳（CO）痕量气体分析仪将使相关测量能够确定影响SPL的气团中人为成分的来源和运输。一氧化碳和氮氧化物（NO和NO2）是人为燃烧源的指标。虽然NOx是反应性的，但CO相对稳定。例如，一氧化碳和汞的相对丰度已被用来确定汞的本地来源和远程来源。SPL最近的证据表明，新的粒子形成频繁发生。扫描迁移率粒度仪将扩展SPL的气溶胶尺寸测量能力下降到2.5纳米，这是必不可少的识别气溶胶成核和负责它的因素。二氧化硫参与气溶胶成核，并在痕量水平的测量是必要的量化其作用。水蒸气/同位素分析仪将为SPL的云和降水研究增加一个新的维度。该仪器的获得将有助于支持最近的工作，表明同位素可用作云形成温度和高度的代理。这种新仪器实现的研究活动将涉及本科生和研究生以及博士后研究员的参与。SPL还为本科生和研究生提供来自众多大学的大气科学领域课程。NSF的机会，提高地球科学计划的多样性，支持在SPL的本科生的广泛群体的实地研究经验，包括与几个历史上的黑人大学和西班牙裔服务机构的伙伴关系。这些设备将扩大SPL进行的研究的范围和重点，从而提供更多的实地培训机会。特别规划处通过媒体对研究的报道，向公众推广两性平等观点。CNN、NBC、国家公共广播电台、国家地理探险家、地方电视台和美国各地的报纸都有报道。