Chemical composition of cloud water and snow at Storm Peak Lab, Steamboat Springs, CO. Kadidia Adula Fayick Suleman Frederick Newton Alecia Thompson

Transcription

1 Chemical composition of cloud water and snow at Storm Peak Lab, Steamboat Springs, CO Introduction Kadidia Adula Fayick Suleman Frederick Newton Alecia Thompson Every January, since 2001, BCC Science students have been taking part in an Environmental Field Study at Storm Peak Lab in Steamboat Springs, CO. The field study is coordinated by Dr. Edward Hindman of the EAS Department at CCNY. Other faculty collaborators include Dr. Teresa Bandosz (CCNY, Chemistry), Dr. Beth Wittig (CCNY, Civil Engr.) and our mentor Dr. Neal Phillip (BCC, Chemistry). A view of Storm Peak Lab on top the 10,520 ft westsummit of Mt. Werner which is on the Steamboat ski area, Steamboat Springs, CO. BCC Team in front of Storm Peak Lab on a clear day. L-R, Fayick, Kadidia, Frederick, Prof. Phillip, and Alecia BCC paper pg. 1

2 Research activities We collected cloud water and snow samples for chemical analyses. We made meteorological measurements and collected and preserved snow crystals. We determined the concentrations of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen gases in the atmosphere. Finally, we determined the amount of aerosol particles in the atmosphere. Clouds form above Storm Peak Lab and move down and envelop the lab allowing students to study their chemical and physical properties. SPL SPLB trailer A view of the mountain from the Storm Peak Lab Base (Celebrity Resorts on Pine Grove Road, elevation 6,500ft). BCC students performed research both at 6,500 ft and at 10,520 ft. The location of SPL and the SPLB trailer are indicated. BCC paper pg. 2

3 Alecia, Fayick and Vilma checking the weather station at the SPL Base during a nighttime weather observation. Observations were made every three hours around the clock. Alecia making her way down from the roof of SPL after collecting particulate samples for microscope analysis. Fayick skiing down the mountain after spending two days at Storm Peak Lab performing experiments. In the background, a snow making machine makes artificial snow for the ski resort that operates in the area. BCC paper pg. 3

4 Fayick sampling the air for sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide gases at Storm Peak Lab. The FSSP is used to determine the physical characteristics of cloud droplets at SPL. The Cloud Sieves are used to collect cloud droplets at SPL. The Sieves are used in conjunction with the FSSP. BCC paper pg. 4

5 Kadidia collecting frozen cloud water scraped from an Cloud Sieve at SPL. The cloud water is brought back frozen to BCC and analyzed for pollutants. Chemical analyses of samples at BCC Students analyzed the frozen cloud and snow samples collected from SPL and SPLB for the following parameters at Bronx Community College: nitrate, sulfate, chloride and total organic carbon (TOC). The liquid ion chromatograph in the BCC Chemistry Dept. for measuring the concentrations of nitrate, sulfate and chloride. The chromatograph was calibrated using standard solutions of nitrate, sulfate and chloride. The correlation coefficient between ion concentrations and instrument response was better than The results of the nitrate calibration are given below: BCC paper pg. 5

6 BCC paper pg. 6

7 The results from a cloud water sample (SPLC05-01) is illustrated below: BCC paper pg. 7

8 Results Anion Concentrations in SPL Cloud Water Samples Anion Concentration (mg/l) Cloud Water Sample # Chloride Nitrate Sulfate Anion Concentrations in SPL Snow 6 Anion Concentration (mg/l) SPL Snow Sample # Chloride Nitrate Sulfate BCC paper pg. 8

9 Anion Concentrations in SPLB Snow Anion Concentration (mg/l) SPLB Snow Sample # Chloride Nitrate Sulfate Summary of anion concentrations in the cloud water and snow for the three sample locations: SPL CLOUD (9) SPL SNOW (4) SPLB SNOW (4) Chloride (mg/l) Nitrate (mg/l) Sulfate (mg/l) BCC paper pg. 9

10 Droplet Number Conc. Vs Mean Droplet Diameter 400 Droplet Number Conc (#/cc) Mean Droplet Diameter (um) Anion Conc vs Droplet Diameter Anions Conc. (mg/l) Mean droplet Diameter (um) Chloride Nitrate Sulfate BCC paper pg. 10

11 Discussion/Conclusions SPLB snow relatively more polluted than SPL snow. SPL cloud water was more polluted with respect to nitrates and sulfates than SPL snow possibly from the upwind power plant emissions at Craig and Hayden, CO. No linear relationship found between droplet diameter and anion concentrations. Acknowledgements VP Marcia Keizs, BCC Academic Affairs (VP Keizs is now President of York College) Mr. Kirk Daley, BCC Student Activities BCC Chemistry Department Dr. Edward Hindman, CCNY Dr. Teresa Bandosz, CCNY Dr. Randy Borys, DRI, Reno, NV Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation BCC paper pg. 11