SYLLABUS

 

METO 634:  Air Sampling and Analysis

Spring 2006

 

SUMMARY:    Theory and application of analytical techniques for the analysis of meteorological variables, and atmospheric gases and particles including priority pollutants.  Hands on experience with traditional and state-of-the-art instruments will be provided.  Discussion of the combined chemical and meteorological considerations in designing field experiments.  One hour of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: METO 434, or METO 637, or consent of the instructor.

 

 

Lecture Schedule                                                               

 

              I.        PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF SENSORS

                        A. Introduction                                                            1

                        B. Objectives                                                              1

                        C. Nomenclature                                                         1

                        D. Static Response                                                      1

                        E. Dynamic Response                                                 2

                        E. First & Second Order Systems                               2

 

              II.       NOISE AND ITS REDUCTION

                        A. Johnson and Shot noise                                           3

                        B. Optical Absorption Systems                                   4

                        C. Chemiluminescent Systems                                     5

 

              III.     SAMPLING STRATEGY

                        A. Exposure and Site Effects                                       6

                        B. Geographic Variability                                           7

 

              IV.     INSTRUMENTATION

                        A. Radiation Sources                                                 8

                        B. Radiation Sensors                                                   9

                        C. Ozone by UV Absorption                                       10

                        D. CO by Nondispersive IR Absorption                    11

                        E. Chemiluminescent Systems                                    12

                        F. Fluorescence                                                          13

                        G. Chemical Flux Measurement                                  

                        H. Aerosol Optics

 

.

 

 

 

Experiment Schedule                                                         

 

              I.        PRECIPITATION

                        A. Amount                                                                   1-6

                        B. Chemistry and pH                                                   6

 

              II.       FUNDAMENTAL PROPERTIES

                        A. Temperature                                                           1

                        B. Flow Measurement                                                 2

                        C. Humidity & Pressure                                              3

                       

             III.      TRACE GASES

                        A. Ozone                                                                     4

                        B. Carbon Monoxide                                                   5

                        C. Oxides of Nitrogen                                                 6-12

                        D. Sulfur Dioxide                                                        6-12

 

             VI.      RADIATION

                        A. Heat Balance                                                          6-12

                        B. UV Radiation                                                          6-12

 

            VII.      AEROSOLS                                                                6-12

                        A. Scattering                                                               6-12

                        B. Absorption                                                              6-12

C. EC/OC                                                                    6-12

 

 

            FINAL EXAM:  To be scheduled.

           

 

Text:  Specially prepared laboratory guides, instrument manuals, and current scientific literature.  Extensive use will be made of Instructor's Handbook on Meteorological Instrumentation, F. Brock, Ed., (NCAR Tech. Note NCAR/TN-327+1A) 1984.

http://library.ucar.edu/uhtbin/cgisirsi/mqQI9OUBDx/0/285610016/523/7440

 

Grading: Best seven of nine laboratory reports (70%) lab notebook (10%) and a final exam (20%).  Lab reports will be graded on a 10-point basis; the first four are required you may chose five of the list above.  Your seven best reports will be counted.

 

Suggested Texts: Instruments and Measurements by M. R. Bottaccini.  Chemistry of the Upper and Lower Atmosphere, Finlayson-Pitts and Pitts.

Syllabus as a .doc

Welcome

Lab handout #1 Precipitation

Lab handout #2 Temperature

Lab handout #3 Pressure

Lab handout #4 Gas Flow

Lab handout #5 Humidity

Lab handout #6 Carbon Monoxide

Lab handout #7 Ozone

Nomenclature Lecture

Mass Flow Controllers

Noise Lecture

Flow Through a Tube Lecture

Data Acquisition Lecture