| NSF Org: |
AGS Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | August 1, 2021 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | June 27, 2022 |
| Award Number: | 2114655 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Sylvia Edgerton
sedgerto@nsf.gov (703)292-8522 AGS Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences GEO Directorate for Geosciences |
| Start Date: | August 1, 2021 |
| End Date: | July 31, 2024 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $398,641.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $398,641.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2022 = $160,788.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
A-153 ASB PROVO UT US 84602-1128 (801)422-3360 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
A-285 ASB Provo UT US 84602-1231 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | Atmospheric Chemistry |
| Primary Program Source: |
01002223DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): | |
| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.050 |
ABSTRACT
This project supports the development and testing of an open-path, broad band cavity-based absorption spectrometer (BBCEAS) to measure hydroxyl radicals (OH) at ambient concentrations in the atmosphere. Hydroxyl radicals are one of the most important oxidizing species in the lower atmosphere, controlling the atmospheric lifetimes of many gases and reacting with both natural and anthropogenic hydrocarbons leading to the production of pollutant ozone. If successful, this instrument will provide data that can be used to improve the accuracy of models so that there will be better agreement between modeled and experimentally measured concentrations of OH and volatile organic compounds (VOC) and their photooxidation products, such as ozone.
In order to build the new instrument to quantify OH radical concentrations, an open-cavity design is required. The principal investigators will conduct experiments to characterize the effects of turbulence and aerosols as well as include the effects of horizontal wind on the quantification of OH using the open-cavity design. They will then interface a high-resolution spectrometer to the open cavity BBCEAS instrument and test the initial configuration of the instrument and spectrograph/detector in the atmospheric simulation chamber at BYU. If the instrument is able to achieve an adequate limit of detection (LOD), the next step will be to test it in the field and intercompare it with other methods for measuring OH in the atmosphere.
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.
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
Project Title: Ambient Level Hydroxyl Radical (OH) Detection Using Broadband Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (BBCEAS) in an Open-Path Configuration
Overview:
This project focused on developing a portable instrument to measure hydroxyl radicals (OH) in the atmosphere. OH radicals are crucial in atmospheric chemistry as they react with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) leading to the formation of ozone, a key component in air quality. Current methods to measure OH are either non-portable or suffer from various interferences. To address this, we designed and constructed a new portable instrument using Broadband Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (BBCEAS).
Key Activities:
The project was carried out in two main tasks over three years:
1. Task 1: We designed and characterized an open-path BBCEAS instrument to measure OH radicals, focusing on how turbulence and aerosols affect measurements.
2. Task 2: We constructed a full-length, 5-meter open-path BBCEAS instrument and tested it in both controlled environments (like atmospheric chambers) and in practical scenarios, such as detecting OH radicals in a flame and through photolysis of ozone and HONO (nitrous acid).
Significant Results:
- Turbulence and Aerosol Effects: We successfully demonstrated that our BBCEAS design can accurately measure OH radicals even in the presence of turbulent air and particulate matter.
- OH Detection: The instrument was validated in controlled settings, including measuring OH in a flame and during photochemical reactions in an atmospheric chamber.
- Innovative HONO Production: A new method was developed to produce and measure HONO, which is crucial for simulating atmospheric OH production.
- Scientific Contributions: Findings from this project led to several peer-reviewed publications and were presented at both domestic and international conferences. These outcomes helped establish new collaborations with leading atmospheric research groups.
Impact:
This project has advanced the ability to measure OH radicals in the field, which is crucial for understanding and managing air quality. The new BBCEAS instrument developed here can be used in future studies to better understand ozone formation and the impact of VOCs on air quality, particularly in regions like Utah that experience severe air pollution.
The development of the open-path, broadband cavity-based absorption instrument for measuring hydroxyl radicals (OH) not only addresses a critical need in atmospheric chemistry but also has significant implications for other disciplines:
1. Environmental Science & Atmospheric Chemistry: The instrument has shown that its design can be mimicked and can potentially revolutionize how trace pollutants are measured. By making it easier and more cost-effective to monitor species like formaldehyde (CH2O), sulfur dioxide (SO2), glyoxal (C2H2O2), nitrous acid (HONO), bromine monoxide radical (BrO), and nitrate radical (NO3), the technology enhances our understanding of atmospheric processes and pollution sources, leading to improved regulatory decisions and environmental protection strategies.
2. Public Health: Accurate and widespread monitoring of the pollutants that serve as precursors for ozone pollution can lead to better air quality management and public health outcomes. Early detection of these pollutants in urban and industrial areas could prompt timely interventions.
3. Computer Engineering & Networked Systems: The potential for networking multiple BBCEAS sensors to provide comprehensive air quality data opens new avenues for computer engineers. This could lead to advancements in sensor technology, data integration, and real-time environmental monitoring systems, offering more accurate and granular air quality data for smart city applications.
4. Regulatory and Policymaking: With the ability to obtain more accurate data on a variety of pollutants, regulatory bodies could make more informed decisions. This could result in stricter regulations on emissions, better urban planning, and more targeted environmental policies, ultimately leading to improved air quality and public health.
5. Research & Development: The technology could inspire further innovation in measurement techniques, prompting interdisciplinary collaboration among chemists, physicists, computer scientists, and engineers to explore new applications and improve existing methodologies.
Overall, the impact of this technology extends well beyond atmospheric chemistry, influencing various fields that rely on accurate pollutant measurement and air quality data.
Future Directions:
The next steps include field testing the instrument under real atmospheric conditions to ensure its reliability and accuracy in diverse environments. This instrument could significantly contribute to improving air quality monitoring and pollution mitigation strategies.
Last Modified: 08/22/2024
Modified by: Jaron C Hansen
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