Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

Aerosols are the condensed phase in the atmosphere that play a critical role in atmospheric processes and climate through heterogeneous reactions and equilibrium partitioning. Measurements of aerosol properties such as size, number, and surface area are fundamental to linking novel atmospheric measurements to important mechanisms and processes in the atmosphere. These properties can only be measured properly using research grade instrumentation. We are requesting two instruments to create a comprehensive system for measuring all sizes of aerosol important to atmospheric processes: a scanning mobility particle spectrometer and optical particle spectrometer. This instrumentation will allow us to innovate and will enable new discoveries through field observations and laboratory measurements that are in progress, but interrupted due to current system failure, or scheduled to take place over the next 5 years. For example, this instrumentation will be crucial for participation in two major field campaigns in 2023 (nationally during SWAPIT and internationally during AEROMMA), which represent paradigm-shifting opportunities to elucidate controls on urban pollution, climate, and their interactions to facilitate Canada's transition to net-zero climate emissions. Large field campaigns are diverse interdisciplinary research environments that bring multifaceted benefits to academic HQP training and research impact. Another application of this instrumentation is in developing understanding of the role of aerosols in the global dispersion of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) known as `forever chemicals'. This level of insight into atmospheric mechanisms and processes is only possible with the requested equipment and is urgently needed by policy makers in Canada. This research along with additional ongoing, planned, and future projects will be led by PIs VandenBoer and Young who are internationally recognized experts in environmental analytical chemistry with highly productive track records of utilizing fundamental measurements like aerosol properties, coupled with state-of-the-science analytical tools, to elucidate atmospheric processes and mechanisms. Training on and use of the requested aerosol instrumentation will be equitable for HQP of all levels from undergraduate students to postdoctoral researchers. This training will develop HQP skills in fundamental air quality measurements relied upon in government and industry regulations, discovery-based research centred on atmospheric processes, as well as participation and experience in international field campaigns, resulting in conference presentations, publications, and development of professional networks.