Aerosol Instrumentation to Probe Atmospheric Processes and Mechanisms

气溶胶是大气中的凝聚相，通过多相反应和平衡分配在大气过程和气候中发挥关键作用。气溶胶特性的测量，如大小、数量和表面积，是将新的大气测量与大气中的重要机制和过程联系起来的基础。只有使用研究级仪器才能正确测量这些特性。我们需要两台仪器来建立一个全面的系统，用于测量对大气过程重要的各种大小的气溶胶：一台扫描迁移率粒子光谱仪和一台光学粒子光谱仪。这种仪器将允许我们创新，并将通过现场观察和实验室测量实现新的发现，这些测量正在进行中，但由于当前的系统故障而中断，或计划在未来5年内进行。例如，这一工具将对参与2023年的两个主要实地活动(在SWAPIT期间在全国范围内和在AEROMMA期间在国际上)至关重要，这代表着范式转变的机会，以阐明对城市污染、气候及其相互作用的控制，以促进加拿大向气候净零排放的过渡。大型实地活动是多样化的跨学科研究环境，为学术HQP培训和研究影响带来多方面的好处。这一仪器的另一个应用是增进对气溶胶在全氟烷基物质(全氟烷基物质)全球扩散中的作用的理解，这些物质被称为“永久化学品”。只有通过所要求的设备才能对大气机制和过程有这种程度的了解，加拿大的政策制定者迫切需要这种水平的洞察。这项研究以及其他正在进行、计划中和未来的项目将由PI VandenBoer和Young领导，他们是国际公认的环境分析化学专家，在利用基础测量(如气溶胶特性)以及最先进的分析工具来阐明大气过程和机制方面有着高效的记录。对于从本科生到博士后研究人员的所有级别的HQP来说，对所要求的气溶胶仪器的培训和使用将是公平的。这项培训将在政府和行业法规所依赖的基本空气质量测量、以大气过程为中心的以发现为基础的研究以及参与国际实地活动和积累经验方面培养HQP技能，从而导致会议报告、出版物和专业网络的发展。

Aerosols are the condensed phase in the atmosphere that play a critical role in atmospheric processes and climate through heterogeneous reactions and equilibrium partitioning. Measurements of aerosol properties such as size, number, and surface area are fundamental to linking novel atmospheric measurements to important mechanisms and processes in the atmosphere. These properties can only be measured properly using research grade instrumentation. We are requesting two instruments to create a comprehensive system for measuring all sizes of aerosol important to atmospheric processes: a scanning mobility particle spectrometer and optical particle spectrometer. This instrumentation will allow us to innovate and will enable new discoveries through field observations and laboratory measurements that are in progress, but interrupted due to current system failure, or scheduled to take place over the next 5 years. For example, this instrumentation will be crucial for participation in two major field campaigns in 2023 (nationally during SWAPIT and internationally during AEROMMA), which represent paradigm-shifting opportunities to elucidate controls on urban pollution, climate, and their interactions to facilitate Canada's transition to net-zero climate emissions. Large field campaigns are diverse interdisciplinary research environments that bring multifaceted benefits to academic HQP training and research impact. Another application of this instrumentation is in developing understanding of the role of aerosols in the global dispersion of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) known as `forever chemicals'. This level of insight into atmospheric mechanisms and processes is only possible with the requested equipment and is urgently needed by policy makers in Canada. This research along with additional ongoing, planned, and future projects will be led by PIs VandenBoer and Young who are internationally recognized experts in environmental analytical chemistry with highly productive track records of utilizing fundamental measurements like aerosol properties, coupled with state-of-the-science analytical tools, to elucidate atmospheric processes and mechanisms. Training on and use of the requested aerosol instrumentation will be equitable for HQP of all levels from undergraduate students to postdoctoral researchers. This training will develop HQP skills in fundamental air quality measurements relied upon in government and industry regulations, discovery-based research centred on atmospheric processes, as well as participation and experience in international field campaigns, resulting in conference presentations, publications, and development of professional networks.