Location
Hill Aerospace Museum
Start Date
5-6-2014 11:30 AM
Description
A major concern for human health and wellbeing is the impact of PM2.5 aerosols and other pollutants, such as NO2, SO2, CO2 and Ozone that are being released into Earth's atmosphere. The Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ) currently makes air quality predictions that are based on models derived from ground station measurements. Little PM2.5 aerosol and gas data exist for altitudes more than a few meters above the ground and, in a sense, current air quality predictions are based on limited data. The High Altitude Balloon for Outreach and Research (HARBOR) team has paired with the Utah DAQ to develop a balloon-borne system that can measure air quality high above the ground. The new aerosol system will be light weight, low cost, and will make real-time in-situ measurements of PM2.5, NO2, SO2, O3, and CO2. It will function on HARBOR's current Multi-Sensor Array (MSA) platform. There are several studies proposed that will utilize the new sensor system. One study will measure PM2.5 concentrations as a function of altitude, revealing how high the effective PM2.5 layer extends and whether it is confined to inversion layers. Another study will investigate O3 plumes above Great Salt Lake; where much of the O3 in the surrounding area may be generated.
A Balloon-Borne Optical System for Measuring In-Situ PM2.5 Aerosol Concentrations
Hill Aerospace Museum
A major concern for human health and wellbeing is the impact of PM2.5 aerosols and other pollutants, such as NO2, SO2, CO2 and Ozone that are being released into Earth's atmosphere. The Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ) currently makes air quality predictions that are based on models derived from ground station measurements. Little PM2.5 aerosol and gas data exist for altitudes more than a few meters above the ground and, in a sense, current air quality predictions are based on limited data. The High Altitude Balloon for Outreach and Research (HARBOR) team has paired with the Utah DAQ to develop a balloon-borne system that can measure air quality high above the ground. The new aerosol system will be light weight, low cost, and will make real-time in-situ measurements of PM2.5, NO2, SO2, O3, and CO2. It will function on HARBOR's current Multi-Sensor Array (MSA) platform. There are several studies proposed that will utilize the new sensor system. One study will measure PM2.5 concentrations as a function of altitude, revealing how high the effective PM2.5 layer extends and whether it is confined to inversion layers. Another study will investigate O3 plumes above Great Salt Lake; where much of the O3 in the surrounding area may be generated.