Vertical profile characterization of pollution distribution and transport within the Southern California LA Basin

Kevin Burke, University of Illinois at Chicago
 

 00:12:36
 2015

Abstract: The distribution and transport of pollutants within the planetary boundary layer is a dynamic and poorly understood process. With the potential of these species to act as potent greenhouse gases or cause a variety of negative health effects, characterizing atmospheric transport is an important factor for pollution forecast and public health. This study presents vertical profiles of various trace gases as well as other meteorological data in the Southern California LA Basin, collected in situ on the NASA DC-8 airborne laboratory during the 2015 NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP). Three case studies are presented including entrainment of residual layer methane and ozone back into the convective boundary layer, a strong correlation between methane and CO2, and a polluted air mass aloft the incoming sea breeze which is evidence of a return flow from the polluted AM sea breeze airflow. These findings improve our understanding of how pollution from the previous day can contribute to increased pollution concentrations the following day, how methane and CO2 could be used as a tracer for one another, and how pollution near the surface can be uplifted in a return flow and potentially be transported greater distances.

Presentation Slides: https://www.scribd.com/document/274520616/Vertical-profile-characterization-of-pollution-distribution-and-transport-within-the-Southern-California-LA-Basin#fullscreen&from_embed