Work Plan. for. Collect, Analyze, and Archive Filters at two DISCOVER-AQ Houston Focus Areas: Initial Characterization of PM Formation and Emission

Transcription

1 Work Plan for Collect, Analyze, and Archive Filters at two DISCOVER-AQ Houston Focus Areas: Initial Characterization of PM Formation and Emission Revision 3 AQRP Project Baylor University December 11, 2012

2 BACKGROUND DISCOVER-AQ (Deriving Information on Surface conditions from Column and Vertically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality) is a multi-year air quality research study set to focus on Houston, TX in August NASA s P 3B and B200 will be deployed to sample vertical profiles over specific focus areas using a spiraling vertical profile flight plan each day during the one month sampling campaign. In this study, we propose to measure EC, OC, and optical BC at two of these vertical spiral sites during the DISCOVER-AQ mission. Baylor University s research group will collect, analyze, and archive particulate filters collected concurrently with DISCOVER-AQ 2013 Houston-based sampling campaign. Specifically, we will measure organic and elemental carbon (OC/EC) and optical black carbon (BC) at two surface sites. Collection will occur at two field stations located directly below aircraft focus areas (i.e. vertical profile sites). Carbon measurements taken during the campaign will be disseminated to DISCOVER-AQ investigators and other external research groups. We will also archive particulate filters for future research opportunity. Access to these archived filters will be provided to DISCOVER-AQ investigators and external research groups. The proposed work directly address the priority research area Improving the understanding of ozone and PM formation, and emissions characteristics in the Houston area through deployment of supplementary measurements in a large field measurement campaign planned by NASA (DISCOVER-AQ) for the summer of 2013 by measuring OC/EC and optical BC at two DISCOVER-AQ focus areas. 1. STATEMENT OF WORK 1.1 Tasks to be performed 1. Prepare two PM 2.5 samplers, two TSP samplers and aethalometer for August 2013 field campaign. 2. Prepare mobile platform for one PM 2.5 and one TSP sampler. 3. Coordinate with Dr. Crawford on the location of the Houston DISCOVER-AQ vertical spirals to verify location of two, ground-based sites. 4. Setup two field sites. 5. Conduct daily sampling during DISCOVER-AQ campaign. 6. Analyze bulk carbon by thermal optical transmittance for measurement of organic and elemental carbon (OC/EC). 7. Archive filters in -10 C freezers at Baylor University. Page 1

3 1.2 Instruments Atmospheric PM 2.5 will be collected on a 90 mm quartz fiber filter using a URG medium-volume air samplers (URG Corporation, Chapel Hill, NC) with a 2.5 m cyclone inlet. Sampling rates are typically 5.4 m 3 hr -1. The air flow of the URG air sampler is controlled by a critical orifice and as a result only periodic calibration is needed. Filters used to capture atmospheric PM 2.5 will be analyzed for OC/EC and the remainder (~97.5%) will be archived for future characterization. TSP air samples will be collected on a 20 X 25 cm quartz fiber filter using a Tisch high-volume air sampler (HVAS; Tisch Environmental Inc. Cleves, OH). Sampling rates are typically 40 m 3 hr -1. The HVAS is calibrated in the field using a standard orifice manometer calibration kit from Tisch. A portable aethalometer (Model AE42, from Magee Scientific) will provide a continuous measure of optically absorbing BC aerosols. This specific aethalometer is outfitted with a seven wavelength source and PM 2.5 inlet. Air is drawn in the sampler through the inlet port (BGI model SCC-1.828) at a rate of 5 L min -1. Flow is monitored using an internal mass flow meter. The sample is collected on a quartz fiber filter tape and the optical analysis (wavelengths ranging from 370 to 950 nm) is performed continuously. The expected aethalometer time resolution is between one and five minutes. 1.3 Key Personnel Rebecca Sheesley, PhD, Co-Primary Investigator. Dr. Sheesley has twelve years of experience as an atmospheric chemist and has significant expertise in source apportionment modeling, characterization of carbonaceous aerosols, and organic molecular marker analysis. Dr. Sheesley will provide expertise in this project in air quality monitoring, sampling campaigns, and bulk carbon analysis. Dr. Sheesley has successfully run multi-site regional sampling campaigns in the Midwestern United States and in South Asia at the UNEP Atmospheric Brown Cloud sites in India and the Republic of the Maldives. She has also established an air monitoring station in Riesel monitoring station in Riesel, TX equipped with a TSP high-volume air sampler, a PM 2.5 med-volume air sampler, an aethalometer, and an ozone monitor. She will assist with data analysis, sharing and interpretation and in the preparation of related manuscripts and/or reports. Sascha Usenko, PhD, Co-PI. Dr. Usenko has nine years of environmental and analytical chemistry experience, contaminant analysis, and quality control and quality assurance plans. Dr. Usenko s research group also specializes in managing and operating large-scale sampling campaigns. Dr. Usenko has extensive field experience including multiple air sampling campaigns, most recently setting up a PM 10 high-volume air sampler, PM 2.5 med-volume air sampler, and an aethalometer in Barrow, Alaska. He is the PI on a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality funded grant measuring dioxins, furans, and PCBs in fish, crab, clams, and sediment. He will assist with data analysis and interpretation as well as in the preparation of related manuscripts and/or reports. Tate Barrett, Graduate Research Assistant (GRA). Tate will be responsible for assisting in all sampling efforts. Tate has experience with annual and intensive rural air sampling as well as experience with midvolume and large-volume air samplers. Tate will also be responsible for all OC, EC, BC, and optical data analysis. Tate has experience with all of the necessary equipment and instrumentation. He will be supervised by Drs. Sheesley and Usenko, and will contribute as needed to all aspects of the research activities. Page 2

4 Victoria Nelson, Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA). Victoria will be responsible for assisting in all sampling efforts and has experience with the necessary filter preparation. She will be supervised by Dr. Sheesley and will contribute as needed to all aspects of the research activities. 1.4 Deliverables The schedule for this project and key deliverables are listed in Table 1 below. The reporting schedule is included in Table 2. Table 1. Project Deliverables and Frequency/Due Dates Deliverable Frequency or Due Date Updated Work Plan (Statement of Work, December 4 th, 2012 Budget & Justification), QAPP Monthly Technical Reports Monthly, 8 th day of following month Interim Reports Upon request Draft Final Report October 21 st, 2013 Release OC, EC, and optical BC data November 30 st, 2013 Final Report November 30 st, 2013 Page 3

5 Table 2. AIR QUALITY RESEARCH PROJECT REPORTING SCHEDULE Reporting Requirements Frequency and Due Dates Special Instructions Distribution List/Addresses Preliminary Documents Work Plan Statement of Work Quality Assurance Project Plan Budget Budget Justification Certification Regarding Conflict of Interest A A E, W E, P AQRP Project Manager, David W. AQRP Grant Manager, Maria AQRP Manager, David T Allen Technical Reporting Monthly Technical Report MT E, W AQRP Project ManagerDavid W. Interim Reports/Presentations Upon Request TBD AQRP Project Manager, David W. Draft Final Report DF E, W AQRP Project Manager, David W. Final Report F E, W AQRP Project Manager, David W. Financial Reporting Financial Status Report Reimbursement Invoice Supplemental Forms MF MF E, P E, W, P* AQRP Project Manager, David W. AQRP Grant Manager, Maria Close-Out Reporting Final Reimbursement Invoice FCO E, P AQRP Project Manager, David W. AQRP Grant Manager, Maria Subrecipient Close-Out Form FCO E, P AQRP Grant Manager, Maria Lobbying Certification FCO E, P AQRP Grant Manager, Maria Page 4

6 Frequency Codes and Due Dates: A - Within ten (10) business days of execution of contract MT - Monthly, by the 8 th day of the following month MF Monthly, by the 12 th day of the following month DF Thirty (30) business days prior to completion of the Task Order F On Task Order end date FCO Thirty (30) business days after the Task Order end date Special Instructions: E - Report should be submitted electronically W - Report should be in Microsoft Word format (Microsoft Excel is acceptable, as appropriate) P - Report should be submitted as a PDF TBD - To be determined * - Receipts and other backup associated with the FSR Supplemental Forms should be submitted as a PDF 1.5 Schedule Project Timeline 2013: January-June: Finalized logical details: 1) confirm sampling locations and site access, 2) outfit Baylor University s mobile sampling trailer with the necessary samplers and support equipment, and 3) announce the availability of filter samples and data collected during the project to external research groups. July: deploy samplers and mobile trailer to the proposed DISCOVER-AQ focus areas. Continue active dialog between DISCOVER-AQ leadership and other ground investigators to improve logistical efforts. August: collect filters at Katy and H-NET Jones Forest surface-based sites in Houston during DISCOVER-AQ and well as collect real-time BC measures at H-NET Jones Forest. September: quantify EC and OC concentrations on both TSP and PM 2.5 particulate filter samples. November: Finalize all databases and project reports for disseminations. Archive particulate filter samples and provide letters of access to external research groups. Page 5