Investigating Sources of Ammonia Uncertainty in Modeling the Salt lake City PM2.5 Nonattainment Area
This study will investigate the existing emission inventory of ammonia (NH3) sources and compare modeled NH3 concentrations to those observed during recent field studies in order to identify and correct missing NH3 sources. In addition to improving the inventory, this study will add new NH3 emission pathways to the photochemical model.
- Principal Investigators: Chris Emery (Ramboll), Randal S. Martin (USU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $86,396
Utah Winter Fine Particulate Study (UWFPS)
The Utah Winter Fine Particulate Study (UWFPS) is a collaborative project between scientists from the Division of Air Quality (DAQ), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) and the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), University of Colorado Boulder, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), University of Utah, University of Washington, University of Toronto,
Winter Inversion Study
Valleys along the Wasatch Mountains (Cache, Salt Lake and Utah) experience high levels of particulate matter (PM) in winter months and are currently designated as non-attainment area for particulate matter with diameters less than 2.5 micron (PM2.5). The chemical aspects of these pollution episodes are not well characterized. In order to fill in this gap in our knowledge, researchers from
Great Salt Lake Summer Ozone Study
The Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ) monitoring found high levels of ozone near the Great Salt Lake from 2010-2013. The Division also found a wide variance in the concentration of ozone in the stable air pocket over the lake during the summertime. Though the mechanisms behind air flow in lake and coastal regions have been studied extensively in the past, how that flow
Great Salt Lake Ambient Hydrochloric Acid Study
Atmospheric chlorine is a strong oxidant and known to potentially initiate photochemistry via reactions with various common hydrocarbons. Kerry et al (2013) found that chlorine atoms significantly contribute to local Salt Lake City PM2.5 during elevated wintertime episodes with ammonium chloride accounting for 10-15% of the PM2.5 mass. In order quantify the concentrations of local atmospheric chlorides, a network of 14 passive hydrochloric acid