CAREER: Emissions and Chemical Impacts of Atmospheric Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from Western United States Wildfires

这个CAREER项目将提高对美国西部野火挥发性有机化合物（VOCs）的来源和大气影响的认识。据估计，生物质燃烧是全球VOCs的第二大主要来源。VOCs在大气中作为臭氧（O3）和二次有机气溶胶（SOA）的前体发挥着关键作用，并影响羟基自由基（OH）水平，进而控制大多数空气污染物的寿命。本项目将结合联合收割机实验室实验数据、飞机和地面站的以往和新的现场测量数据，以及三维化学传输模型，研究野火挥发性有机化合物的区域和全球影响。本研究的任务包括：（1）开展实验室实验，改进利用质子转移反应飞行时间质谱法识别和定量大气呋喃的分析方法;（2）在蒙大拿州米苏拉的长期监测点对挥发性有机化合物和其他痕量气体进行新的地面测量，以更好地量化美国西部与火灾有关的挥发性有机化合物的丰度和变化的关键控制; (3)在GEOS-Chem化学传输模型（CTM）中纳入呋喃和其他两种挥发性有机化合物的新化学和排放;（4）使用GEOS-Chem改进火灾挥发性有机化合物表示法，解释最近飞机和地面活动的先前和新的现场测量结果。该项目将在区域到全球范围内对VOCs的来源和野火的化学影响提供定量的新限制。教育和宣传计划包括在实践科学中心开发野火烟雾展览，并在其中建立一个小型空气质量监测站，以提高K-该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的学术价值和更广泛的影响审查标准。

This CAREER project will improve knowledge about the sources and atmospheric impacts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from western U.S. wildfires. Biomass burning is estimated to be the second-largest primary sources of VOCs globally. VOCs play a key role in the atmosphere as precursors of ozone (O3) and secondary organic aerosol (SOA), and affect hydroxyl radical (OH) levels, that in turn control the lifetime of most air pollutants. This project will combine data from laboratory experiments, and previous and new field measurements from aircraft and ground stations, with a 3D chemical transport model to examine the regional and global impacts of VOCs from wildfires.This research includes tasks that: (1) carry out laboratory experiments to improve the analytical approach for identifying and quantifying atmospheric furans using Proton Transfer Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry; (2) perform new ground measurements for VOCs and other trace gases at a long-term monitoring site in Missoula, MT, to better quantify critical controls on the abundance and variability of fire-related VOCs in the western U.S.; (3) incorporate new chemistry and emissions for furans and two other VOCs in the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model (CTM); and (4) use the GEOS-Chem with improved fire VOC representation to interpret the previous and new in-situ measurements from recent aircraft and ground campaigns. The project will provide quantitative new constraints on VOCs' sources and chemical impacts from wildfires on a regional to global scale.The education and outreach plan includes the development of a wildfire smoke exhibit with a mini air quality monitoring station at a hands-on science center to enhance K-12 student learning about wildfire smoke and air pollution.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.