G. Kos and P. A. Ariya
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in Snow in the Quebec-Windsor Corridor
Journal: JGR-Atmospheres
DOI:10.1029/2009JD012391
(accepted 14 September 2009)
Category: research
My current research
Poster at MOCA-09
I will present a poster at the MOCA-09 meeting from 19-29 July, 2009 in Montreal! Check it out!
G. Kos, N. Adechina and P.A. Ariya
Snow-Air Exchange Processes at Barrow, Alaska in Spring 2009
Date & Time: Tuesday 21 July (1500 – 1630)
Symposia: J14-Ocean-Ice-Atmosphere Boundary Layers and Interactions
Not much news – and here is why: I got a new job!
I left McGill University at the end of June to work for Sixtron Advanced Materials as a Manager for Analytical Chemistry. Most of my work is now confidential, so I cannot write about it.
However, some of the work at McGill is still ongoing and I will blog about it, if I have something interesting to report.
Lab move in the near future
Lab renovations are starting on the 4th floor of the Chemistry building and the research group I am part of will move soon. With the help of all lab members I compile inventory lists of our instrumentation (including space and power requirements) to make sure we have enough space, power, outlets, network jacks,…. in the new lab. A tedious task!
Preparing GC-MS Measurements
Things have been incredibly busy in the weeks after my return. Some reports had to be finished and I am quite actively working on revisions of my manuscript drafts. There has been some follow-up on the Barrow campaign – nice to see some photos of the researchers continuing their work.
Meanwhile I started preparing GC-MS measurements of my own samples. I have help from a graduate student from France doing an internship in our labs! I am quite busy training her on the instrument, sample preparation, data analysis and calibration, she will be ready to start running samples in a few weeks time.
My freight is here!
After the backlog of freight from Anchorage was cleared, I decided with the shipper that it was time to send of my coolers and equipment to Montreal. Transfer was smooth with only a small delay at Canadian Customs! After 28 hours I was able to receive my freight at Montreal, Mirabel Airport. Instead of waiting for the delivery the next day, I got a van and picked up the coolers myself.
Now the samples sit in a freezer waiting to be analysed!
Back home
After a brief delay of three flights – I finally left Barrow and returned to Montreal via Anchorage and Chicago. The eruption of Mt. Redoubt was the reason for my late departure, but all the rebooking went smoothly.
Packing up my freight was quite easy – all coolers were full to the brim with snow samples and some additional snow and ice packs for the journey. I am glad I made arrangements for a freezer in Anchorage, since my freight still sits there waiting for a FedEx flight to Montreal.
Storage in Barrow for a few extra days was now problem, since it was very cold anyway, but I am not sure for how long the delay will last in Anchorage since the airport bas been closed again. But as long as my stuff sits in the freezer that is not a problem
Sampling out on the ice
This time things worked out fine. Together with several other people I went out on the ice sampling air, surface hoar. frost flowers and brine today. The frost flowers are beautiful – we sampled a patch of young ice (1-2 ft thick) with a frost flower age of 1-2 days under clear skies.
The view was absolutely stunning – what a privilege to work in such an environment. Sampling went extremely well. I used my last pre-cleaned bottles and a number of sterile plastic bags for sampling. I brought a canister and pump along for air sampling. I hope that the samples from these individual compartments (frost flowers, snow, brine, air) will give me an idea on how SVOCs distribute between them and what impact on the chemistry this might have.
The trail was in good shape, with a little challenge towards the end; crossing a pressure ridge over ice; easy enough to do, if you had enough momentum with the snow machine and did not brake on your way across the ridge. Went well enough for me despite pulling a sled for the first time.
Biosampler up and running
I finally managed to get the replacement pump going for the biosampler. A heating tape for the batteries and the pump keep things warm together with a layer of heavy insulation (the heating tape is not strong enough otherwise.
Furthermore I need to heat the immersion oil as the pump constantly draws -30 deg C cold air through the nozzles. Without heating, the oil freezes within 10 min. On the other hand, once the pump stops (e.g. because of empty batteries) the vial overheats quickly. So it is a delicate balance that needs to be monitored constantly.
The set-up is suitable for the MOUDI as well, but as there is not enough time left for sampling I will focus on the biosampler – I have collected 4 samples from 6 hr runs so far.
Out on the ice!
I went out on the ice yesterday with a group of researchers from Canada to sample frost flowers and snow at the ice edge. Unfortunately, the guide advised against doing it since there was ice coming in and the lead was closing fast. So, no samples!
We had to stay on site and with the generator running and snow machines passing frequently, there was no point sampling snow for VOC analysis. Briefly – a nice trip out on the ice, but useless scientifically! I returned back home in time for some more snow and air sampling before sunset.