Observing the properties of gas and aerosols can help us understand the processes that lead to negative impacts of air pollution on human health and the environment. While ground-based observations, such as air-quality monitoring networks, are becoming more extensive, they only capture near-surface processes in relatively developed areas. To investigate processes taking place in the wider atmosphere, such as the marine boundary layer or remote troposphere, research aircraft are deployed to make targeted measurements of key chemicals. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) is well suited to the technical challenges associated with making measurements from fast-moving aircraft
The facility for airborne atmospheric measurement (FAAM), part of the National Centre for atmospheric science (NCAS), has been operating a BAe146 aircraft as an airborne laboratory since 2005. It can carry up to 4 tonnes of scientific equipment to investigate meteorology, chemistry and aerosol properties in the remote atmosphere. The aircraft is undergoing a mid-life upgrade (MLU) program, which will see a significant investment in science infrastructure and instrumentation with the aim of keeping the platform at the cutting edge of science well into the next decade.
The upgraded instrument suite includes a new generation of specially adapted online mass spectrometers that will make in-situ measurements with the temporal resolution required to capture dynamic atmospheric processes in a fast moving aircraft. Novel developments in sample inlets, sample handling, and rapid source switching will enable this new measurement platform to measure a wide span of aerosol and gas compositions simultaneously; from trace gasses through to refractory aerosol; providing insight into key processes such as primary emissions, secondary aerosol formation, and internal mixing of pollutants with naturally occurring particles such as mineral dust. This new capability has the potential to transform our understanding of the variability of air pollutants in the wider atmosphere and the processes that lead to negative impact on human health and the environment.
