More than two years after road access and electrical power to the Mauna Loa Observatory was cut off by lava flows, NOAA staff continue to make critical measurements of the atmosphere and other environmental variables at the remote site.
In 2023, observatory staff installed solar panels at the site and resumed some measurements, including the independent carbon dioxide monitoring programs run by the Global Monitoring Laboratory and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, as well as other atmospheric measurements.
Construction of a temporary road to access the observatory site is anticipated to begin in summer 2025.
Media can contact: Theo Stein (303) 819-7409 (theo.stein@noaa.gov)
Organization(s):
University of California - San Diego
What does this program measure?
The program collects size-segregated aerosol samples for subsequent anionic and isotopic composition measurements.
How does this program work?
The isotopic measurements will be done on bulk water soluble components of nitrate and sulfate and O, N, and S isotopes wil be evaluated.
Why is this research important?
These isotopic measurements will provide additional insights into the oxidative histories of these aerosols. Particular attention will be placed on Asian dust events identified during the sample collection periods. Nitrogen and sulfur isotopes will provide additional constraints on distinct characteristics of NOx and SOx sources that contribute to aerosol mass. Our proposed research plan relies on proven high precision isotopic techniques. In addition, 35S activities of these samples will be measured (at UC San Diego) and compared to isotopic compositions.
Are there any trends in the data?
This project is upcoming.
How does this program fit into the big picture?
What is it's role in global climate change?
This proposed research program is the only one that will measure radioactive sulfur-35 (half life ~87 days) along with stable sulfur isotopes and as such may give us unprecented insights into the age of aerosol sulfate.
Comments and References
The UCSD Stable Isotopes Laboratory has a rich history of being at the forefront of isotopic measurements in atmospheric species.
Lead Investigator(s):
Prof. Bo Reipurth
808-932-2314
MLO Contact(s):
Trevor Kaplan
808-933-6965 (x226)
Dr. John E. Barnes
808-933-6965 (x222)
Web Site(s)
not applicable
Date Started
upcoming
Related Programs
Air Quality Control
Asian Dust
Photographs:
not available