AGS-PRF: Modeling Water Content and Solute Activities of Atmospheric Aerosols at Extremely Low Relative Humidities

Cari S. Dutcher博士被授予大气与地球空间科学博士后研究奖学金，与加州大学戴维斯分校（UCD）的安东尼·韦克斯勒（Anthony Wexler）一起开展研究项目。Dutcher将采用统计热力学的方法来研究大气中重要的物种对空气中重要粒子的吸收，如黑碳、有机物和含水气溶胶。气溶胶性质的热力学处理将扩展到对流层上层的低温（与高海拔和纬度有关）和低相对湿度（与干旱气候和一些高海拔情况有关）条件。结果将增强扩展气溶胶无机物模型（E-AIM）的热力学预测，并将提高对以下方面的理解：(1)地球大气中气体、颗粒、气溶胶和水的相互作用；(2)对流层上层寒冷、干燥干旱条件下热力学性质的改变；(3)吸附过程对颗粒在气候中的作用的直接和间接影响。Dutcher还将开发一个基于网络的模型计算器，使那些不是大气热力学专家的人能够有效地利用模型进行实际计算。达彻将通过指导本科生研究人员，并在当地学校参与互动环境和保护示范，将研究和教育结合起来。该项目还将支持UCD空气质量研究中心目前正在进行的外展计划，主办从高中团体旅游到空气质量和气候变化国际会议的活动。有几项活动将针对年轻女孩。

Dr. Cari S. Dutcher was awarded an Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to conduct a research project with Anthony Wexler at the University of California at Davis (UCD). Dutcher will employ a statistical thermodynamic approach to the uptake of atmospherically important species onto particles that are important in the air, such as black carbon, organics and water-containing aerosols. The thermodynamic treatment of aerosol properties will be extended to conditions found in the upper troposphere, with low temperatures (relevant to higher altitudes and latitudes) and at low relative humidity (relevant to arid climates and some higher altitude situations). Results will enhance thermodynamic predictions of the Extended Aerosol Inorganics Model (E-AIM) and will improve understanding of (1) the interactions of gases, particles, aerosols and water in the earth's atmosphere, (2) the modification of thermodynamic properties in the cold, dry arid conditions found in the upper troposphere and (3) the impact, both direct and indirect, sorption processes have on the role of particles in climate.Dutcher will also develop a web-based model calculator to enable those who are not experts in atmospheric thermodynamics to make effective use of models for practical calculations. Dutcher will integrate research and education through mentorship of undergraduate researchers and by engaging in interactive environmental and conservational demonstrations at local schools. The project will also support the outreach programs currently underway at the Air Quality Research Center at UCD, hosting activities from high-school group tours to international conferences in air quality and climate change. Several activities would be aimed at young girls.