Featured projects
Current research directions highlighting SEEL and AIR Facility projects in atmospheric science, air quality, environmental monitoring, aerospace emissions, sustainability, and emerging environmental challenges
Collaborators:
The City of Cape Canaveral, Florida
Number of rocket launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station since 2020.
The rapid growth of commercial spaceflight has raised important questions about its potential impacts on local and regional air quality. Rocket launches can release pollutants including particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), black carbon, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and other species that may affect atmospheric chemistry, environmental quality, and human health. With 203 launches recorded at Cape Canaveral between 2020 and 2024, understanding these impacts is becoming increasingly important as launch activity continues to expand.
This project investigates air quality in communities at the City of Cape Canaveral by monitoring gaseous and PM concentrations during launch and non-launch periods. By examining the spatial and temporal distribution of atmospheric pollutants in the lower atmosphere, the study aims to better characterize the environmental footprint of rocket launches and provide scientific information that can support the sustainable growth of the commercial space industry.
A schematic showing the effect of particle drying on reversible versus irreversible aqSOA formation.
Secondary organic aerosols (SOA) comprise approximately 70% of the annual global production of total organic matter. Our work focuses on the formation of secondary organic aerosols through aqueous processes (aqSOA) that has been identified as an important route in forming organic aerosols; however, many aspects of aqSOA formation are still uncertain. State-of-the-art literature shows clear discrepancies in explaining SOA formation, possibly due to major uncertainties in understanding the pathways, sources as well as precursors involved in the formation process. Thus, the identification of reactions responsible for forming these particles requires a better understanding of the pathways that govern their formation. Our research aims to better understand the sources and processes that affect atmospheric aerosol concentrations to formulate solutions that could help to reduce the associated undesired impact of air pollution.
A cartoon showing the effect of different biogenic and anthropogenic sources in addition to meteorological conditions on the formation of aqueous aerosol.
A flowsheet showing the three stages of the project including (a) Stage I: MPs collection of filters, (b) Stage II: MPs visual and chemical characterization, and (c) Stage III: data analysis.
Collaborators:
Dr. Foram Madyiar, ERAU
Dr. Kirsten Koehler, Johns Hopkins University
Microplastic (MP) pollution has been targeted by many studies due to its potential, yet unknown, adverse effects on marine life, wildlife, as well as human health. However, these studies were primarily conducted in the marine environment, with limited studies investigating MPs in the atmosphere.
Our group is interested in the: 1) identification of the sizes, shapes, and size distribution of MPs in the atmosphere, 2) characterization of the chemical composition of atmospheric MPs, 3) determination of the spatial distribution of MPs, and 4) identification of the source(s) of MPs by examining local versus long-range transport influences using trajectory modeling techniques.
Health issues associated with these particles are studied based on the results of size distributions. Further, a holistic approach is adopted to better understand the transport of these particles between the marine, atmospheric, and terrestrial environments, and the subsequent health issues associated with them. Overall, this work offers excellent opportunities for society as it will enhance our knowledge about MP pollution and its impact on health, soils, and water bodies.
The three modes of operation used in this project (a) stationary, (b) mobile 2D, and (c) mobile 3D.
Particulate matter (PM) has been recognized as a detrimental pollutant in the atmosphere causing several adverse impacts on human health as well as on the environment. In the United States, similar to many other countries, concentrations of PM are monitored and enforced by regulations based on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Nonetheless, these conventional monitoring technologies are limited in capturing the spatial and temporal variations in atmospheric PM concentrations at fine scales. Additionally, observations from these technologies possess inherent limitations due to relatively high cost and size.
The goal of this project is to (1) improve the accessibility of air quality sensors, (2) increase the number of air quality observations, and (3) increase the spatial resolution of air quality sensors using low-cost sensors (LCSs) using three different multi-dimensional modes of operation: (1) stationary (1D), (2) mobile on manned vehicles (2D), and (3) mobile on an unmanned aerial vehicles (3D).
Satellite data showing reductions in NO2 concentrations in China as a result of COVID-19 lockdown (NASA, 2020).
Earlier in 2020, the world faced an unprecedented pandemic caused by the novel COVID-19 virus. Although it directly infected millions of people and killed at least one million people around the globe, the indirect impacts of this pandemic were experienced globally. Most cities have been locked down, reducing people’s daily commutes and, hence, the transportation patterns and traffic load. While this shutdown negatively impacted many economically and socially, it is suggested to have positively impacted air quality in many places worldwide, such as China, Italy, and many countries in Europe.
The goal of this project is to characterize the impact of the lockdown associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in major cities using concentrations of main atmospheric pollutants such as: ozone, NOx, and particulate matter.