Research

1. Carbonaceous aerosols from boreal forest fires and implications for radiative forcing 

Objectives:

  • Understand  the emission and fate of brown carbon (BrC) and black carbon from boreal forest fires;
  • Examine the impact of boreal forest fires on radiative forcing

Approach:

  • Measure the optical properties of BrC in the field and lab;
  • Use intensive field/satellite observations to evaluate model representation  of brown carbon and ozone;
  • Use global climate model to  predict future air pollution influenced by projected biomass burning  emissions.

People:

  • Kunal Bali (PhD student), James Campbell (PhD student) and collaborators including L.-W. Antony Chen (U of Nevada) and Judy Chow (DRI).

Funding:

  • NSF

Reference:

  • Nicole June, Xuan Wang, L.-W. Antony Chen, Judith C. Chow, John G. Watson, Xiaoliang Wang, Barron H. Henderson, Yiqi Zheng, Jingqiu Mao: Spatial and temporal variability of brown carbon in United States: implications for direct radiative effects, Geophysical Research Letters, 47, e2020GL090332. https://doi. org/10.1029/2020GL090332 (link).
  • L.-W. Antony Chen, Judith C. Chow, Xiaoliang Wang, Junji Cao, Jingqiu Mao, and John G. Watson: Brownness of Organic Aerosol over the U.S.: Evidences for Seasonal Biomass Burning and Photobleaching Effects, Environ. Sci. Technol. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c08706.
  • Bali, K., Banerji, S., Campbell, J. R., Bhakta, A. V., Chen, L.-W. A., Holmes, C. D., and Mao, J.: Measurements of brown carbon and its optical properties from boreal forest fires in Alaska summer, Atmos. Environ., 324, 120436, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2024.120436, 2024.
(photo courtesy of  Cameron McNaughton)

 

2. Wintertime aerosol pollution in Fairbanks  

Objectives:

  • Understand multiphase chemistry  of hydroxymethanesulfonate (HMS)
  • Understand sulfate formation mechanisms in Fairbanks winter.

Approach:

  • Use field observations and models to  examine possible HMS chemistry in ambient aerosols and cloud;

People:

  • James Campbell (PhD student), and collaborators including Rodney Weber (Georgia Tech), Jason St. Clair (UMBC/NASA), and Bill Simpson (UAF).

Funding:

  • NSF

Reference:

  • James R. Campbell, Michael Battaglia, Kayane Dingilian, Meeta Cesler-Maloney, Jason M. St. Clair, Thomas F. Hanisco, Ellis Robinson, Peter DeCarlo, William Simpson, Athanasios Nenes, Rodney J. Weber, Jingqiu Mao: Source and Chemistry of Hydroxymethanesulfonate (HMS) in Fairbanks, Alaska, Environmental Science & Technology, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c00410, 2022.
 
 
 

3. Remote sensing of Arctic atmospheric composition

Objectives:

  • Provide ground validation of satellite HCHO observations at high latitudes
  • Understand trend of BVOC emissions in Arctic as a result of Arctic greening
  • Determine the major drivers of BVOC emission trend in Arctic and its possible impact on atmospheric composition

Approach:

  • Use Pandora, MAXDOAS, and satellite observations to evaluate HCHO variability in Arctic
  • Use ground, satellite and global models to determine BVOC emissions and long-term trends
  • Use global models to determine the impact of Arctic greening on atmospheric composition

People:

  • Tianlang Zhao (PhD student), and collaborators including Bill Simpson (UAF), Bob Swap (NASA GSFC),  Gonzalo Gonzalez Abad (Harvard CFA), Caroline R Nowlan(Harvard CFA).

Funding:

  • NASA

Reference:

  • Tianlang Zhao, Jingqiu Mao, William R. Simpson, Isabelle De Smedt, Lei Zhu, Thomas F. Hanisco, Glenn M. Wolfe, Jason M. St. Clair, Gonzalo González Abad, Caroline R. Nowlan, Barbara Barletta, Simone Meinardi, Donald R. Blake, Eric C. Apel, and Rebecca S. Hornbrook: Source and variability of formaldehyde (HCHO) at northern high latitude: an integrated satellite, aircraft, and model study, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 7163–7178, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7163-2022, 2022.
  • Zhao, T., Mao, J., Ayazpour, Z., González Abad, G., Nowlan, C. R., and Zheng, Y.: Interannual variability of summertime formaldehyde (HCHO) vertical column density and its main drivers at northern high latitudes, Atmospheric Chem. Phys., 24, 6105–6121, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6105-2024, 2024.
  • Zhao, Tianlang; Mao, Jingqiu; Gupta, Pawan; Zhang, Huanxin; Wang, Jun: Observational constraints on AOD-surface PM2.5 relationship during Alaskan wildfire seasons, ACS ES&T Air, https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsestair.4c00120, 2024.

 

 

4. Improving air quality forecast during fire season

Objectives:

  • Improve air quality forecast during Alaska fire seasons with surface and space observations
  • Improve air quality forecast with multiple models and advanced statistical methods
  • Develop relationship between surface PM2.5 and satellite AOD during fire season

People:

  • Zhiwei Dong (PhD student), and collaborators including Jun Wang (U of Iowa), Martin Stuefer (UAF) and Ed Hyer(Naval Research Laboratory).

Funding:

  • NASA