Category: Applied Research Overview

  • VOC to NOx relationships and Impacts of Smoke on Ozone in the Wasatch Front

    To meet ozone standards in the Wasatch Front, this project analyzes the role of local and non-local emissions, especially from wildfires. Researchers will assess wildfire impacts on ozone and PM2.5 levels using satellite and in-situ data, and study ozone sensitivity to NOx and VOCs through formaldehyde-to-NO2 ratios. Insights from this work will inform emission reduction…

  • Temporal and Spatial Measurements of Surface-to-Boundary Layer Ozone using Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)

    Using drones and portable ozone monitors, this research will capture detailed pollutant data near the Great Salt Lake to complement existing ground and airborne measurements. Coordinated with the Utah Summer Ozone Study (USOS), the project will gather crucial information on ozone and other pollutants to address research goals on ozone sources and vertical oxidant exchange.

  • Quantification of Halogen-Initiated Atmospheric Chemistry in the Wasatch Front

    Focused on the unique atmospheric chemistry of Salt Lake City, this study investigates the influence of regional halogen emissions on ozone and particulate matter. By measuring chlorine-induced reactions with volatile organic compounds, researchers will quantify the extent of halogen-driven oxidation. The findings will provide essential data on how regional industrial emissions contribute to air quality…

  • Projecting the impacts of a shrinking Great Salt Lake on dust exposure along the Wasatch Front

    This project examines the dust exposure risks from the receding Great Salt Lake, using models to simulate dust emissions and transport across the Wasatch Front. It will evaluate the impact of different water levels on dust exposure, providing Utah DAQ with data to determine dust source contributions and identify communities at risk.

  • Improving Soil NOx Emission Estimates for the Wasatch Front

    This study examines the impact of soil nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions on air quality in the Northern Wasatch Front, with a focus on refining NOx emissions modeling. By updating inputs in the Berkeley-Dalhousie Soil NOx Parameterization (BDSNP) for the MEGAN biogenic emissions model, the project aims to improve NOx emission estimates. Results will enhance understanding…

  • Assessing Global Background Ozone Transport Pathways to the Northern Wasatch Front

    This project uses high-resolution modeling to explore how international and regional ozone is transported into the Northern Wasatch Front. By analyzing vertical transport patterns, the study will provide a mechanistic understanding of ozone levels in the area, supporting regulatory planning. The findings are crucial for refining air quality models and informing future policy demonstrations.

  • Utah Summer Ozone Study (USOS)

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is leading a large-scale campaign that will increase our understanding of ozone chemistry and emissions sources. During the Utah Summer Ozone Study (USOS), NOAA will be deploying two mobile labs and an aircraft that contains an exhaustive suite of instrumentation to measure the meteorology and ozone precursors that…

  • The Salt Lake Regional Smoke, Ozone and Aerosol Study (SAMOZA)

    The University of Washington, Utah State University and the University of Montana will conduct a detailed study of ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the Salt Lake Valley (SLV). Using new VOC observations, plus existing measurements of NOx, CO and PM2.5, they will use a variety of analyses to understand O3 formation and…

  • Improving Smoke Detection and Quantifying the Wildfire Smoke Impacts on Local Air Quality Using Modeling and Machine Learning Techniques

    Though it can be easy to tell that wildfire smoke has negative impacts on urban air quality, there is no tool to quantitatively measure wildfire impacts, nor to identify whether exceedance days are due to wildfire smoke or other emissions. The first scope of this work will develop a new plume rise model to estimate…

  • Improved Vegetation Data for the Biogenic Emission Inventory of Wasatch Front

    The goal of this project is to improve numerical predictions of regional ozone and aerosol distributions in the Wasatch Front by developing more accurate estimates of biogenic volatile organic carbon (BVOC) emissions for the urban areas within the Northern Wasatch Front. Specifically, this project will upgrade modeled MEGAN (Model of Emissions of Gasses and Aerosols…

  • Particulate Chloride in the Urban Environment

    The University of Utah will conduct a study intended to significantly reduce uncertainties regarding the temporal, spatial, and particle size distributions of particulate chloride. Through source apportionment, the study will also identify the dominant sources of this important halogen. These results will provide important emission inventory constraints for future air quality modeling efforts performed by…

  • Impacts of the Great Salt Lake on Summer Ozone Concentrations Along the Wasatch Front

    The University of Utah is conducting a study to determine the meteorological factors that contribute to elevated surface ozone near the Great Salt Lake. The core task for this project is to evaluate from ozone observations and meteorological observations and model analyses the timing of buildup in ozone in the southern Farmington Bay region and…

  • Development of Top-down Hydrocarbon Emission from Oil and Gas Production in the Uintah Basin

    Utah State University and the University of Utah will use a method known as top-down emission estimation to refine volatile organic compound emissions from oil and gas production based on long-term surface level measurements of methane and hydrocarbons in the Uintah Basin. The objective of this project is to improve the Utah Division of Air…

  • Development of a WRF-based Urban Canopy Model for the Greater Salt Lake City Area

    Brigham Young University will conduct a two-year project that will utilize state-of-the-science meteorological modeling with land use descriptions of the Great Salt Lake area to characterize impacts of urban growth on local meteorological conditions. Model methodology and usage will be documented so air quality modelers can use existing or self-developed future results for additional urban…

  • Assessing Wintertime Ozone Prediction Sensitivity to Photochemical Mechanism

    Ramboll and the Utah State University – Bingham Research Center (BRC) will conduct a study to thoroughly investigate wintertime ozone prediction sensitivity in the Uinta Basin among two current photochemical mechanisms using a consistent modeling platform. Recent air quality modeling conducted by BRC using different modeling systems indicates that the Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Mechanism (RACM)…

  • Ethylene Oxide in Utah

    Ethylene Oxide (EtO) is an air toxic pollutant of emerging concern. At typical ambient concentrations, EtO is an odorless and colorless gas that is used in the sterilization of materials, such as medical equipment and spices. EtO is also an ingredient in chemical products, such as antifreeze, textiles, plastics, detergents and adhesives. EtO inhalation can…

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