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Air QualityProjects are listed alphabetically by Principal Investigator Abbatt, Jonathan P.D. University of Toronto ($260,000 over three years, awarded 2001, completed April 2004) Project Title: Organic Aerosols as Cloud Condensation Nuclei: Laboratory and Global Climate Modeling Studies A contribution to a state-of-the-art global climate model will result from research into the impact of atmospheric aerosol particles on clouds and global climate, as well as evaluation of the potential for the ‘indirect’ effect that aerosols may have on cloud formation. This is viewed as one of the largest scientific uncertainties in making global climate change assessments. The model will assist in understanding of the role of organics on the formation of clouds, as well as assessments in any modifications of global climate. To date, global climate models have primarily focused on inorganic sulfate aerosols and have not considered the role played by organic species such as aerosol particles. _____________________ Abbatt, Jonathan P.D. University of Toronto ($429,500 over three years, awarded 2003) Project Title: Interactions of atmospheric pollutants with ice and snow: partitioning and chemical reactions Ice is a prevalent part of our environment, present at the surface as snow or frozen seawater, and in the atmosphere as either ice cloud particles or precipitation. It is a chemically active medium acting as a repository and reactor for a wide range of both naturally occurring and anthropogenic species. This study aims to investigate varying chemical interactions of ice (real-world and laboratory) with a wide range of atmospheric pollutants in order to quantify and substantiate the role of ice-atmosphere interactions in climate and atmospheric sciences. Findings will significantly improve the understanding of whether these gases can be scavenged from the atmosphere by gas-ice interactions or whether chemical transformations can occur that lead to their loss or modification. _____________________ Agnes, George Simon Fraser University ($417,632 over three years, awarded 2002) Project Title: The Production of Toxic Compounds by Heterogeneous Reactions High concentrations of atmospheric particles during episodes of poor air quality adversely affect human health. This research project investigates chemical reactions between a variety of airborne particulate species (such as soot) and known atmospheric oxidants (such as ozone). The information will increase understanding of the relationship between inhalation of soot particles and health. It will ultimately lead to the development of more effective measures for control of air pollution. _____________________ Ariya, Parisa McGill University ($458,500 over three years, awarded 2002) Project Title: Transformation of Mercury in the Artic: Laboratory, Field and Global Modeling This project investigates the fundamental chemical processes and transport mechanisms associated with the atmospheric depletion of mercury seen during polar sunrise at several Arctic and sub-Arctic research sites since 1995. The research will lead to a better understanding of the environmental persistence of mercury and its tendency to bio-accumulate in the food chain, particularly in northern Canada. _____________________ Blades, Michael University of British Columbia ($392,231 over three years, awarded 2003) Project Title: Toward a complete understanding of the chemistry and chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols Aerosols, suspensions of solid or liquid particles, are ubiquitous in the atmosphere, and are believed to be associated with respiratory disease, visibility reduction, acid deposition, and climate change. This project will develop an innovative single particle aerosol mass spectrometer for measuring size-resolved chemical composition of organic aerosols in real-time and studying reactions of OH and O3 with organic particles. The new spectrometer will significantly improve scientific knowledge of the role played by atmospheric organic aerosols in climate and atmospheric chemistry and will hence lead to improved models of air quality and climate change. The valuable technology and knowledge will help design the next generation of field instruments for aerosol analysis. _____________________ Chylek, Petr Dalhousie University ($270,800 over three years, awarded 2001, completed October 2005) Project Title: Molecular Simulations of Black Carbon Aerosol Interfacial Processes Black carbon is produced by fossil fuels and biomass burning and is an important factor in climate change, air quality and human health issues. Using molecular computer simulations, the oxidizing and adsorption rates of water and toxic chemicals onto black carbon will be numerically predicted. This will help determine the efficiency with which black carbon can transport toxic chemicals over large distances. It will also improve air quality and climate models so they can better predict the concentration of black carbon aerosols in the atmosphere. _____________________ Donaldson, James University of Toronto ($320,000 over three years, awarded 2001, completed November 2005) Project Title: Improvements to Air Quality Models: Airborne Pollutant-Surface Film Interactions Urban air pollution is a serious and growing health concern in Canada. Airborne particulate matter, small enough to be inhaled, has a significant impact on human health. The research will establish the important chemical processes to include so that models accurately predict the formation of particles that will be inhaled in the air we breathe. The work will improve air quality models and give policy makers scientific information to help reduce pollution. _____________________ Drummond, James University of Toronto ($259,500 over three years, awarded 2001) Project Title: Measurements of Atmospheric Extinction in the Stratosphere and Troposphere Retrieved by Occultation (MAESTRO) A new ozone-measuring instrument is slated to fly on the SCISAT Canadian satellite in late 2002. The MAESTRO instrument will provide precise measurements of the ozone profile of the atmosphere and will help measure ozone loss. It has been developed by the Meteorological Service of Canada and is being adapted for Space. Following its launch, MAESTRO will provide data measurements for about 18 months. These measurements will be very significant as there are few measurements of ozone or other chemicals that extend into the troposphere, the part of the atmosphere most subject to modification by human activities. _____________________ Evans, Greg University of Toronto ($398,384 over three years, awarded 2003) Project Title: Understanding the influences of chemical and meteorological processes on urban particulate matter Poor air quality is believed to contribute to several thousand pre-mature deaths a year in Canada, amounting to close to $1 billion a year in economic costs and more in reduced quality of life. Much of this impact is related to airborne particulate matter in Canada’s urban centres. The research uses new high time resolution measurement techniques, statistical modeling and source and composition information to improve understanding of the meteorological and chemical processes that influence urban particulate matter. The results will assist in distinguishing between local/Canadian and trans-boundary contributions to poor air quality episodes, in support of ongoing policy discussions aimed at adding PM Annex to the US-Canada Air Quality Agreement, and in effective Federal, Provincial and International policy development. _____________________ Harris, Geoffrey _____________________ Hastie, Donald York University ($255,400 over three years, awarded 2001, completed April 2005) Project Title: Mass spectrometric studies of atmospheric particulate matter Understanding of the chemical composition of particles will be improved through state-of-the-art analytical methods. The sources and fates of atmospheric particles will also be investigated. Data resulting from this work will be valuable in the development of control strategies for meeting Canada-wide standards for particulates. Results may also help research on the impact of air pollution on health. _____________________ Hastie, Donald York University ($212,460 over three years, awarded 2002) Project Title: Laboratory and Field Studies of Reactive Gas to Particle Conversion The formation and chemical composition of ambient particulate matter is linked to negative impacts on visibility, climate, and human health in urban and industrial areas. The study examines the production of sulphate and nitrate particulate matter from sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, through simultaneous measurements of gas and particulate phase concentrations. Results will help in developing health strategies; linking the type of pollutant to its source(s); and developing aerosol modules for air-quality prediction models. _____________________ Lovejoy, Shaun McGill University ($123,300 over three years, awarded 2003) Project Title: LIDAR measurements and cascade models of pollutant dispersion Depending on their composition, particles and gases emitted from small, localized sources can contribute variously to smog, greenhouse warming, atmospheric cooling, acid rain, and ozone depletion. The corresponding concentrations appear to vary in space and time over different orders of magnitude due to an anisotropic dynamical cascade process starting at planetary scales. The research aims to produce high time-space resolution aerosol imagery by combining advances in turbulence with state of the art lidar technology to test this theory of cascades models of pollution dispersion, over a wide range of scales. Immediate applications will include new methods for remotely monitoring point source pollutant fluxes (industrial and natural emissions over three years), and hence for monitoring air quality. _____________________ McConnell, Jack York University ($548,500 over three years, awarded 2003) Project Title: Application of a 3-D multiscale model to arctic air quality issues: ozone and mercury depletion, arctic haze, and intercontinental transport Chemical and physical changes occurring in the arctic atmosphere are sensitive to inputs from anthropogenic emissions of pollutants and from the stratosphere: yearly recurrent observation of “arctic haze” has been reported since the 1950s. This project uses an adapted a multi-scale (global and regional) 3-dimensional air quality model to the Arctic to help investigate the regional nature of ozone and mercury depletion events following the polar sunrise. It will also be used to establish a hierarchy of the most relevant processes contributing to removal from the arctic boundary layer. The research will enhance understanding of the impact of mid-latitude anthropogenic pollution on the arctic troposphere and the possible impacts of the Arctic on troposphere ozone mid-latitudes. _____________________ McKendry, Ian G. University of British Columbia ($228,560 over three years, awarded 2001, completed June 2004) Project Title: Modeling and Observation of Trans-Pacific Pollutant Transport: Impacts on Western Canada This project involves the development and deployment of a light aircraft-based vertical profiling system, and modeling of the role of mountains in intercepting layers of pollutants that pass across western North America. Already 12 aircraft missions have been flown during the spring of 2001, one of which captured the arrival of Gobi Dust over British Columbia, the largest such event in the last two decades. This project will be used to develop better air quality forecasts for the region and, through inclusion of trans-Pacific contributions to local air quality, improve models so that they can better assess the impacts of local abatement strategies. _____________________ Mozurkewich, Michael York University ($308,000 over three years, awarded 2002) Project Title: Characterization and Formation Mechanisms of Secondary Organic Particulate Matter This research looks at the chemical reactions and physical processes associated with common gas phase organic precursors that lead to the formation of smog. Atmospheric particles, often with diameters much smaller than one micrometer, are everywhere in the atmosphere. They are comprised of organic compounds produced by vegetation and the oxidation of hydrocarbons emitted by human activities. They can affect both climate and atmospheric visibility by the scattering and absorption of light. They also directly impact: cloud formation, precipitation and the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface. The project will increase the knowledge needed to assess the effects of organic particulate matter on climate and human health. _____________________ Oke, Timothy R. University of British Columbia ($222,932 over three years, awarded 2001, completed July 2004) Project Title: Measurement and parameterization of heat and mass fluxes relevant to the role of cities in regional air quality and greenhouse gas exchange This project involves the study of exchanges of heat, water and pollutants in cities and the way they modify urban climate, as well as how pollutants are dispersed. The physical processes underlying the modification of the atmosphere by urban development will be detailed and will contribute to the creation of tools that can be used to forecast urban air quality and other applications. As well, models will be generated that are tested with field data, and high quality data will be made available to others for testing of models. The project will contribute to understanding key climate system processes, including those connected to greenhouse gas sources and sinks and urban air quality. It will also assist in the construction of weather and air quality models for cities. _____________________ O’Neill, Norm Université de Sherbrooke ($246,000 over three years, awarded 2001) Project Title: Aerosol Remote Sensing using passive and active radiometry; ground-based investigations into the information content of a multi-year combined data set To understand the air quality impact of aerosols in the short term and their climate change impact in the long term, we have to improve our knowledge of their optical effects. This project will help achieve that goal, by measuring, characterizing and analyzing optical data on aerosol conditions in a transition zone between urban Toronto, and rural southern Ontario. The region is influenced by a wide variety of aerosols, ranging from clean-air background aerosols, to pollution and smoke particles to large dust aerosols. Ground-based data will be acquired simultaneously by LIDAR (a pulsed laser system) and passive optical measures (sunphotometry and sky radiometry). The combination of the two techniques will enable a better understanding of aerosol (as well as cloud) dynamics in the region of an experimental site (Egbert, Ontario). This is important for the validation as well as the prediction of aerosol behavior in air quality and climate change models. The accumulated data set will also facilitate the validation of satellite-based aerosol remote sensing missions, in particular the tandem of CALIPSO (LIDAR) and MODIS (passive radiometer). _____________________ Roscoe, John Acadia University ($78,900 over three years, awarded 2001, completed March 2005) Project Title: Kinetic Studies of Reactions of Atomic Bromine with Polar Organic Halides, Alcohols and Ketones Ozone depletion episodes in the Arctic have been linked to the photochemical generation of atomic bromine when the sun reappears after the Arctic winter. Atomic bromine is generated when sunlight is absorbed by molecular bromine. The project will determine the rates of reactions of bromine and atmospheric organic compounds, and their importance as potential atmospheric sinks for bromine. This in turn will help improve models predicting the role of atomic bromine in ozone depletion, and will enhance the ability to describe ozone depletion events. _____________________ Rudolph, Jochen J. York University ($594,800 over three years, awarded 2001, completed April 2005) Project Title: Application of Stable Carbon Isotope Ratio Measurements in Volatile Organic Compounds to Study the Oxidizing Capacity of the Troposphere This research is designed to develop more efficient and effective air pollution control strategies by increasing reliability and predictability of numerical model simulations. The reaction with hydroxyl-radicals is the initial step for removal of many important trace gases from the atmosphere and determines the rate of formation of many secondary pollutants (ozone, secondary particulate matter) that lead to smog. This project will provide the research necessary to test, improve, and verify hydroxyl-radical concentrations. _____________________ Rudolph, Jochen _____________________ Sloan, James University of Waterloo ($486,047 over three years, awarded 2002) Project Title: Laboratory Investigation of the Formation, Growth and Climate Implications of Artic Haze Arctic haze is a seasonal phenomenon in which high concentration of particulate matter occur in the lower Arctic troposphere. It has a strong effect on Arctic climate and meteorology. The research will improve understanding of the properties that contribute to Arctic haze, by examining the growth and nucleation rates of haze particles in the Arctic troposphere. The resulting data will be used to refine regional climate and radiative transfer models. _____________________ Wania, Frank University of Toronto ($280,000 over three years, awarded 2001, completed January 2005) Project Title: Forests as Filters of Persistent Organic Pollutants Recent measurements have suggested that forests are very efficient filters for selected toxic air pollutants. This is particularly the case with deciduous forest canopies that take up the pollutants from the atmosphere and transfer them to the forest floor with the falling leaves. This has the potential to significantly reduce the pollutant load in the atmosphere, decreasing the risk to humans and wildlife. The research, conducted collaboratively with Dr. Tom Harner of the Meteorological Service of Canada, involves using two different techniques to measure the uptake of selected pollutants, including the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in a deciduous canopy in Borden, Ontario. _____________________ Wania, Frank _____________________ Wilson, John University of Alberta ($253,000 over three years, awarded 2001, completed May 2005) Project Title: Numerical and Field Experiments in Source Quantification by Inverse Lagrangian Dispersion The project will make it possible to infer the time and place of long-range contaminant release, up to the global scale. A transport and dispersion model will be validated to investigate how many observation points are needed to locate a source, and their optimal distribution. Field experiments will verify the accuracy of the technique. Laser sensors will be used in experiments to estimate the sources of methane and other trace gases. The model has the potential to be a new generation Environment Canada emergency response model, and a component of the Canadian strategy for monitoring compliance with the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. _____________________ Wilson, John
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