Impact/Purpose:

The proposed research is designed to ultimately provide new emissions models for coarse PM and PM₁₀. An extensive measurement dataset of coarse PM and PM_2.5. mass as well as chemical and biological composition will be collected. This dataset will then be used to evaluate existing PM₁₀. emissions inventories. Existing emissions modules will be updated to more accurately simulate coarse PM emissions. Further, a new emissions model that will simulate the emissions of primary biological particles will be developed.

Description:

The proposed research will contribute to our understanding of the sources and controlling variables of coarse PM. This greater understanding, along with an increase in our ability to predict these emissions, will enable more efficient pollution control strategy development. Additionally, the information developed here will provide important information for use in public health studies of PM impacts and possibly PM estimates that can better constrain climate models.

URLs/Downloads:

2011 Progress Report

2010 Progress Report

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT( ABSTRACT )

Start Date:06/01/2010

Completion Date:05/31/2013

Record ID: 249345

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Related Organizations:

Role :OWNER

Organization Name :NATIONAL CENTER FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH

Mailing Address :P.O. Box 3000

Citation :Boulder

State :CO

Zip Code :80307



Role :OWNER

Organization Name :UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO - BOULDER

Mailing Address :Campus Box 17

Citation :Boulder

State :CO

Zip Code :80309

Project Information:

Approach :

To accomplish these objectives, we will collect an extensive dataset of PM_2.5 and coarse PM at both urban and rural sites in the Front Range of Colorado, as well as detailed meteorology for each sampling site. The collected filters will be subjected to a robust analysis of chemical and biological characterization, including inorganic and organic speciation, and detailed DNA analysis of the biological component to elucidate the contribution of bacteria, fungal spores, and pollen. Source apportionment and bioinformatics tools will be applied to the data collected to identify source contributions and relationships with controlling factors such as wind speed or soil moisture. These results will provide information that will be used to evaluate existing PM₁₀ emission inventories, including an assessment of the temporal variations in the estimates. Existing models for the estimation of PM₁₀ will be updated to include better temporal resolution and dependency on controlling factors as determined from the results of the measurement analysis. A new primary biological emissions model will be developed to simulate the emissions of bacteria, fungal spores, and pollen to the atmosphere. The final models will be packaged into a modeling framework that is readily implemented with EPA regional modeling tools.

Cost :$500,000.00

Research Component :Air Quality and Air Toxics

Project IDs:

ID Code :R834552

Project type :EPA Grant