An automated size and time-resolved aerosol collector platform integrated with environmental sensors to study the vertical profile of aerosols

Abstract

Atmospheric particles affect human health, climate, and ecosystem but assessing their impacts is still challenging. Part of that is because of the limited understanding of the size-dependence of particle properties...

Atomic spectrometry update – a review of advances in environmental analysis

“…Deployment on an electric-motor-powered UAV was envisaged because such engines are less susceptible to ingress of ash particles than internal-combustion engines. The STAC (automated size and time-resolved aerosol collector) sampler employed: 20 a suite of P /RH/ T sensors to monitor ambient conditions; an OPC to measure aerosol size distribution; a micro-aethalometer to measure the black-carbon mass concentration; and a four-stage impactor operating at 3 L min −1 and with particle cut-off sizes of 2.3, 0.62, 0.42 and 0.12 μm to collect particles for offline analysis. This system was attached to a tethered balloon system deployed at various heights to undertake a vertical profiling of the atmosphere.…”

Tethered balloon system and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Reveal Increased Organonitrates Aloft Compared to the Ground Level

“…The daily and vertically resolved variations reported in Figures S5, 1 those such as size distribution, morphology, absorption, and phase state, and such influences are discussed at length elsewhere. 6,13,14,33 Here, however, the vertical dependence of organic molecular composition is specifically investigated, with subsequent discussion informed by the observations, as shown in Figures S5, 1 and 2.…”

“…To this end, tethered balloon systems (TBSs) have been increasingly deployed in several geographical locations to study aerosol properties, 13,32−37 gaseous air pollution, 38,39 and microphysical properties of the atmosphere. 14,40,41 Several studies have targeted an improved understanding of vertically resolved organic aerosol given the ubiquitous and complex contributions that organics, notably secondary organic aerosol (SOA), make to the total mass loading of atmospheric particles. 2,42,43 Aerosol mass spectrometers (AMS) have conventionally been used for these applications due to advantages associated with quantitative and real-time capabilities, among others.…”

“…The effects of atmospheric turbulence on aerosol properties at different mixing layers may also be of great importance. , While the collection and study of samples at ground level is operationally advantageous due to simplicity, the vertical dependence of various atmospheric aerosol properties (e.g., aerosol size distribution, morphology, mixing state, and chemical composition) and processes (e.g., chemical aging and cloud formation) necessitates that sampling and assessment of atmospheric particles should be conducted aloft as well. , However, the direct measurement and capture of vertically resolved atmospheric particle samples is not trivial. Numerous techniques have emerged to address the challenges associated with measuring aloft aerosol, including towers, − tethered balloons, ,, unmanned aerial vehicles, , aircraft, − and remote sensing measurements such as lidars (indirect measurement). − Remote sensing approaches such as satellite-based observations have also facilitated understanding the relative positions of aerosol and cloud layers and the resulting radiative effects. , …”

“…8,9 However, the direct measurement and capture of vertically resolved atmospheric particle samples is not trivial. Numerous techniques have emerged to address the challenges associated with measuring aloft aerosol, including towers, 10−12 tethered balloons, 6,13,14 unmanned aerial vehicles, 15,16 aircraft, 17−21 and remote sensing measurements such as lidars (indirect measurement). 22−26 Remote sensing approaches such as satellite-based observations have also facilitated understanding the relative positions of aerosol and cloud layers and the resulting radiative effects.…”