Investigation of Coastal Boundary Layer Characteristics Including Ducting Severe Storm Intensification & Aerosol Properties
Abstract
This proposal seeks to enhance the capacity of Hampton UniversityÕs (HUÕs) Department of Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences to conduct research of fundamental phenomena in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) and free troposphere over the Eastern U.S. coastal Hampton Roads region. The objective of the research is to investigate geophysical variability and develop and validate new techniques to better understand the composition, dynamics, and radiative properties of the lower atmosphere. Characteristics of the PBL, such as height, temperature, and refractivity, will be measured, and vertical profiles of aerosol extinction and tropospheric gases like H2O and O3 will be retrieved. Size distributions and other microphysical properties will be derived from extinction measurements to classify tropospheric aerosols. Trajectory analyses will be used to identify the source and residence times of unusual boundary layer aerosol events. Measurements will be accomplished using both active and passive remote-sensing instruments, as well as balloon ozone and meteorological sondes. Many of these instruments were funded by a DoD BAA instruments-only award. In addition, supporting data from various remote-sensing satellites will be collected in near-real time with HUÕs Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) receiving system and used in conjunction with local measurements to monitor boundary layer activity and anticipate severe weather events. Measurements of PBL height, temperature, and refractivity will provide information for predicting the occurrence, location, size, and strength of atmospheric ducting events, which affect both radar observations and long-distance radio propagation. The retrieval of aerosol microphysical properties from multi-wavelength lidar measurements will result in high-resolution, diurnal profiles that will improve aerosol characterization and the ability to distinguish aerosol type. This will enable the investigation of their chemical and radiative interactions with the environment. Observations of atmospheric gaseous constituents like ozone will provide valuable information on boundary layer composition and its potential impact on air quality and environmental health. Measurements of both gases and aerosols will contribute to a better understanding of the battlefield environment. Trajectory analyses will greatly assist in understanding boundary layer dynamics, determining atmospheric chemical transport mechanisms and pathways, and will help locate sources of aerosols released into the environment. Finally, information from remote-sensing datasets available through the DBS will improve the ability to predict the occurrence and intensification of severe weather events. The research faculty proposal team, and undergraduate and graduate students will participate in making measurements, processing and interpreting the data, and validating the results with observations from other sources, including datasets that are available through the DBS and satellite data center archives. Students will receive training in the theory and operation of multi-wavelength lidars and other remote-sensing instruments, and they will participate in the launching of balloon-borne ozonesondes and rawinsondes. They will be instructed in programming techniques used to analyze the data, and they will gain experience interpreting, presenting and publishing their results. Students will also learn how their research results compare with the current state of knowledge in atmospheric science through coursework and literature review. All activities involved in the project will make them more DoD-marketable and increase opportunities available to them in their careers, particularly in STEM-related fields.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF2010313
Entities
People
- Michael Mccormick
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Hampton University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense