A Comparison Between

Ground and Air Sampling

Jennifer DeHart
SARP 2009 Presentation
Overview
Introduction
Background
◦ Where/how the samples were
collected
Methodology
◦ Comparing the three datasets
◦ Coefficient of Variation
Results
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Airborne sample collection
◦ 1000 feet and below
Groundgrid study
Comparison between data
◦ Confirmation
 Background
 There were three
separate sample
collections
◦ A first flight on July 22nd
◦ A second flight on July
24th
 Grid was predetermined by
◦ Ground sampling done
Melissa Yang, Ph.D.
o Roughly 25 miles between
centers of each box
o Designed to match up with
previous grid studies
o All samples taken away
from possible sources
(roads, tractors, etc.)
Background
 Methodology
 Samples were
analyzed in the
Rowland/Blake Lab
using gas
chromotography
 Two systems were
utilized: the “big
system” and the
methane system
Methodology
Data filtered
◦ 1500 feet
◦ Data was included where the three
sampling campaigns overlapped
Introduction of error
◦ Data from the dairy and vineyard
were discarded
 Actual Data
Used

All data
collected
during
SARP 2009
Methodology
Correlation
◦ Average concentrations
◦ Coefficient was too high
◦ Dominating concentrations
◦ Needed a different way to look at how
the data varied
Methodology
Made the decision to compare the
concentrations separately
◦ Calculated standard deviations from
average concentrations
◦ Standard deviation inaccurate
◦ Used the coefficient of variation
instead
Results: Coefficients of
Variation
All Data CCl4 Flight
sets Conc. 1

Flight Grid
2
All Data Propene Flight
sets Conc. 1

Flight Grid
2
 Results
Of all the
gases, 9 have
a coefficient
of variation
greater than
.4
Shorter
lifetimes

Seinfeld, John. "Global Atmospheric Chemistry of Reactive

Hydrocarbons." Reactive hydrocarbons in the atmosphere. Ed. C. N.
Conclusions
 Overall, the data correlated well between
the two flights and the grid
 There were a few gases that varied greatly,
but those that are important to the research
of the Rowland/Blake lab were generally
very consistent
 Much of the variation between the data was
due to short atmospheric lifetimes
 It is important when designing a grid study
to be aware of the goal of the study
◦ Stay away from potential sources that might
contaminate the data
 Sampling on science flights should still be
Further Work
Attempt to compare datasets that
overlay better (though this is
difficult when dealing with
airplanes)
Do a comparison between
datasets that is more specific
geographically or temporally
Acknowledgements
Sherwood Rowland, Ph.D.
Donald Blake, Ph.D.
Melissa Yang, Ph.D.
NSERC
Rowland/Blake Research Group
SARP
Christina McCluskey for her
photos—Team PINK!!!
Questions?
Thank you!