A low-cost monitor for measurement of fine particulate matter and aerosol optical depth – Part 2: Citizen-science pilot campaign in northern Colorado

摘要

A pilot field campaign was conducted in the fall and winter of 2017 innorthern Colorado to test the deployment of the Aerosol Mass and OpticalDepth (AMOD) instrument as part of the Citizen-Enabled Aerosol Measurementsfor Satellites (CEAMS) network. Citizen scientists were recruited to set upthe device to take filter and optical measurements of aerosols in theirbackyards. The goal of the network is to provide more surface particulatematter and aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements to increase the spatialand temporal resolution of ratios of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to AODand to improve satellite-based estimates of air quality. Participantscollected 65 filters and 160 multi-wavelength AOD measurements, from which109 successful PM2.5 : AOD ratios were calculated. We show thatPM2.5, AOD, and their ratio (PM2.5 : AOD) often vary substantiallyover relatively short spatial scales; this spatial variation is nottypically resolved by satellite- and model-based PM2.5 exposureestimates. The success of the pilot campaign suggests that citizen-sciencenetworks are a viable means for providing new insight into surface airquality. We also discuss lessons learned and AMOD design modifications,which will be used in future wider deployments of the CEAMS network.