The Canadian

Centre for Environmental Modelling and Chemistry

Microenvironment Atmospheric Laboratory

 

Description

This laboratory will be used to improve our understanding the fate of pollutants in the atmosphere.

It will be used

  • to monitor photochemical reactions dynamically in an environment similar to that of the natural atmosphere. This lab will allow us
  • to determine photolytic half-lives and reaction products of substances in the vapour phase
  • to examine the partitioning behaviour of chemicals between vapour and particulate or purely aqueous aerosol phases
  • to directly measure vapour pressures
  • to study the effects of high or low H2O, CO2, and O3 concentrations onvarious chemical processes in the atmosphere.

    The main feature of the lab is a 1500 L “smog chamber” coupled to an FTIR spectrometer for monitoring gas phase photochemical reactions. A custom-built ultra long-path high reflectance White cell has been installed. The chamber has a port for the introduction of solid samples (and contained liquid samples) and aerosol analysis instruments for particle experiments.

    The Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory is a part of a larger group of experimental facilities at Trent known collectively as the Microenvironment Laboratory funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI) to study the effects of pollution and climate change on water and soil processes in the natural environment.

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    Artistic rendition - overview  

    Instrumentation

  • Thermo Nicolet 6700 FTIR
  • Teledyne Monitor Labs Ozone Analyzer
  • Rotronic Hygroclip Humidity Monitor
  • TSI Model 3776 Condensation Particle Counter
  • Thermo 42i NO-NO2-NOx Analyzer

    Collaborating Faculty

  • J. Aherne
  • T. Harner (adjunct)
  • R. March
  • M. Parnis



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    Last updated August 12, 2011.