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Project Code [2005-ET-MS-28-M3]
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Project title
Trace Radical Absorption through Cavity-Enhanced Spectroscopy (TRACES)
Primary Funding Agency
Environmental Protection Agency
Co-Funding Organisation(s)
n/a
Lead Organisation
University College Cork (UCC)
Project Abstract
The TRACES project aims to advance the technology for monitoring trace gases in the atmosphere with high spatial and temporal resolution. To this end we plan to develop an extremely sensitive instrument based on incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy for use in field observations and in atmospheric chamber studies. The instrument will be optimised to detect the nitrate radical NO3 based on the strong B-X transition of NO3 around 662nm. NO3 is an important trace species which plays a dominant role in the night-time oxidation chemistry of the troposphere. The instrument should have a sensitivity to NO3 of substantially better than 10 pptv. An analysis procedure will be developed based on differential optical absorption to separate the effects of overlapping absorbing molecules and quantify the mixing ratios of NO3 and other absorbing gases. We will show the suitability of the instrument for studying reaction kinetics at ambient pressures in an atmospheric chamber. Initial field trials of the instrument will be carried out in an urban environment (at the air quality monitoring station in Cork city) to demonstrate the utility of the method for field observations.
Grant Approved
�199,560.00
Research Hub
Green and Circular Economy
Research Theme
Waste and Resources Management
Initial Projected Completion Date
n/a