In a significant effort to unravel the evolving sources of air pollution, a consortium of experts from NOAA, NASA, and 21 universities across three nations has embarked on a series of comprehensive research campaigns. These initiatives, utilizing an array of cutting-edge tools including satellites, aircraft, and even instrumented backpacks, aim to decipher the dynamics of air pollution shifts caused by various factors such as transportation, industries, agriculture, wildfires, and consumer products. The insights gained from these extensive investigations will be harnessed to refine air pollution forecasts and guide effective pollution reduction strategies.
The ongoing campaigns unite a diverse array of research instruments, including seven research aircraft, stationary monitoring installations, and state-of-the-art satellite technology. Led by scientists from NOAA research labs, the Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) spearheads three key research projects. The most expansive of these endeavors, the Aerosol and Gas Exchange Research and Observation Multiscale Missions (AEROMMA), employs 30 specialized instruments aboard NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory. Over major urban centers such as New York City, Chicago, Toronto, and Los Angeles, AEROMMA gathers comprehensive chemical measurements to dissect the complex composition of air pollutants.
EPA data reveals that approximately 200 U.S. counties fall short of the 8-hour ozone standard outlined in 2015, and 69 counties do not meet the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standards set in 2006. Although the United States has witnessed a decline in ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter over the years, recent trends indicate a slowdown in this improvement. The research ventures aim to deepen our understanding of the current pollution sources and their behavior in the atmosphere.
Traditionally, fossil fuel emissions stood as a primary contributor to urban volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) – precursors to ground-level ozone and particulate pollution. The campaigns, however, reveal a notable transformation. While VOCs from the transportation sector have diminished, recent studies suggest that consumer products derived from fossil fuels may now account for up to half of total petrochemical VOC emissions in densely populated urban areas. This shift underscores the necessity of accounting for emerging sources of pollution in air quality management strategies.
The research efforts encompass an impressive spectrum of data collection techniques. NASA's Gulfstream research aircraft take to the skies alongside the DC-8, measuring air quality and methane levels from higher altitudes while the DC-8 focuses on lower altitudes. NASA's Surface Tropospheric Atmospheric Quality Studies (STAQS) mission aligns with NOAA's investigations and will contribute to the development of the upcoming GeoXO satellites jointly developed by NOAA and NASA.
Ground-level insights are equally pivotal. Researchers from esteemed institutions such as Yale University and Aerodyne Research Inc. are stationed at ground-based monitoring sites in New York and Connecticut, striving to unravel urban and downwind air pollution dynamics. The observations gathered hold immense potential to inform urban air quality management in an ever-changing climate scenario.
Intriguingly, the research spectrum extends to the streets of Manhattan, where scientists carry air pollution sensors in backpacks to study surface ozone and PM2.5 concentrations. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of air pollution's impacts on underserved neighborhoods, particularly during heatwaves.
Collaboration lies at the heart of these endeavors. The harmonious coordination of various research platforms, instruments, and experts is poised to deliver a comprehensive view of air pollution dynamics across the United States. The insights gained will bolster urban and regional air quality forecasts, ultimately contributing to the health and well-being of the nation's residents.
