Rufus

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Rufus Ty WhitePhD CandidateHoward
UniversityNOAA Student fellowNOAA Center for
Atmospheric Science
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• Interest
• Instrumentation, Measurements, and Data Analysis
• Investigations of the cycles of chemical elements
  such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur,as
  well as their stable ions and isotopes in the
  atmosphere.

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• Research Experience
• University of Guam, Marine Laboratory.
• This research investigated environmental
  pollutions, and flux of nutrients, energy, and
  microorganisms among fresh, brackish and marine
  waters.
• We measured the pollution by recording and
  observing phosphate, silicate, and nitrate
  levels.
• Also measured bacterial organism growth.

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• Research Experience
• EPA CASNET Site
• Energy Research Center of the Netherlands (ECN)
  developed the MARGA, instrument for Measuring
  AeRosol and GAses, for the determination of the
  following air-polluting species.
• Ammonia, nitric acid nitrous acid, sulphur
  dioxide, hydrochloric acid in the gas phase and
  ammonium, nitrate, sulphate, chloride, sodium,
  potassium, magnesium and calcium in aerosols.
• MARGA
• MARGA measures the hourly averaged
  concentrations of these compounds. MARGA is an
  extension of the SJAC (Steam Jet Aerosol
  Collector) for on-line collection and analysis of
  aerosol components with IC.

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• MARGA
• The novelty of MARGA that it contains a
  wet-denuder. Compared with the classical denuder
  filter pack method, this instrument offers high
  time resolution, no contamination by off-line
  handling and no artifacts introduced by
  semi-volatile ammonium salts. New is also the
  capability of long-term stand-alone measurements
  (over a week).

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Current Research Topic

• MARGA and the factors that limit the formation of
  Fine Secondary Inorganic Aerosols at an
  agricultural site in Beltsville, MD.
• (MARGA 1 2 intra-comparison) Principle component
  factor analysis (PCA), These factors are used to
  explain the pattern of relationships among the
  data points. Close factor variability percentage
  equated to a common source. (refer to next
  slide)
• These factors also were used to illuminate major
  processes that contribute to the production of
  particles in this environment.
• NOAAs Hysplit Back Trajectory. Back trajectories
  were produced to determine the direction the
  polluted air mass was traveling and the source
  region. (see poster)

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Component Component Component Component Component Component Component
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
M2 SO4 0.519 0.674
M1 SO4 0.513 0.679
M2 NO3 0.508
M1 NO3 0.708
M2 HNO3 0.777
M1 HNO3 0.804
M2 NH3 0.799
M1 NH3 0.741
M2 NH4 0.732
M1 NH4 0.748
M1 HNO2 0.606
M2 HNO2 0.670
M2 SO2 0.824
M1 SO2 0.819
TE SO2 0.829
TE NO 0.890
TE NOY -0.574 0.600
TE CO 0.713
RH 0.581
TE ozone 0.875
WD
temp 0.830
radiation 0.505
MDE Nox -0.775
MDE NO -0.655
MDE NO2 -0.718
Extraction Method Principal Component Analysis. Extraction Method Principal Component Analysis. Extraction Method Principal Component Analysis. Extraction Method Principal Component Analysis. Extraction Method Principal Component Analysis. Extraction Method Principal Component Analysis. Extraction Method Principal Component Analysis. Extraction Method Principal Component Analysis.
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left to do

• Once the correlation between the ratios and local
  versus long-range emissions is determined the
  data will be summarized, the temp/RH and diurnal
  variability investigated
• Pollution events, local versus long-range
  pollution sources will be quantified, local
  variability assessed and cause of local particle
  formation will be determined.

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Professional and Academic Goals

• Complete PhD program
• Work for an environmental think-tank
• Start a consultant firm

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THANK YOU ANY QUESTIONS