Introduction to TRACER-MAP and the Mobile Air Quality Laboratory (MAQL2), with a case study from the Texas coast 2021

Description

TRACER-MAP (Mapping Aerosol Processes) seeks to strengthen TRACER and expand scientific questions regarding the interactions between aerosol pollution and urban convective storms.  This field campaign utilizes local atmospheric chemistry knowledge (heterogeneity in sources and processes that support aerosol production and growth), previously established air monitoring sites across Houston, and a wide range of instrumentation that duplicates and enhances AMF1 measurements. Specifically, the MAQL2 will conduct particle size, distribution and detailed composition, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentration and activity, aerosol optical properties, gases (volatile organic compounds (VOC) and trace gases) and meteorology (including boundary layer height) measurements at satellite sites across Houston. These detailed atmospheric measurements will be integrated with atmospheric modeling using WRF-Chem to evaluate how observed differences across Houston are related to emissions, aerosol processes and convective storm activity.

The MAQL2 has operated in April/May 2021 in an inaugural mobile and stationary campaign in Corpus Christi and San Antonio, TX. Preliminary observations will be presented including a long range biomass burning event, land-sea breeze transition, and mobile measurements of local emissions.