Overview of aircraft-based measurements in support of SHARP, FLAIR and TRENF campaigns

The University of Houston twin-engine Piper Aztec aircraft flew 50 hours in support of SHARP (Study of Houston Atmospheric Radical Precursors), FLAIR (Formaldehyde and Olefins from Large Industrial Releases) and TRENF (Traffic Related Emissions of HONO and HCHO) projects in the Houston Ship Channel, Texas City, Mount Belvieu and Galleria areas. The research objectives included characterization of HCHO emissions from point and area sources and support of surface-based and remote sensing measurements of the aloft concentrations of primary and secondary pollutants. The aircraft platform included a base set of chemical and physical sensors to detect ozone (O3), reactive nitrogen compounds (NO, NO2, and NOy), carbon monoxide (CO), alkenes (RAD instrument), formaldehyde (HCHO), particle number density sized from 0.5-10 mm (particle spectrometer), integrated particle scattering (3-λ nephelometer), up and downward facing j(NO2) filter radiometers, VOC canister grab samples, wind speed and direction, temperature, relative humidity, pressure, and GPS location. This presentation highlights and discusses some selected events.