Friday, January 15, 2021, 1:00PM - 2:00PM
Speaker
Solomon Bililign
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Location:
Zoom
https://cuboulder.zoom.us/j/91985979270; ATOC
Full title
Optical properties and emission factors of biomass burning aerosols from Sub-Saharan Africa biomass fuels
Abstract
Biomass fuels are extensively used for domestic purposes in Africa, producing a significant atmospheric burden of the resulting aerosols. However, there are no laboratory studies charactering their optical and chemical properties. There is a clear research need for a wider sampling of fuels from different regions of the world for laboratory studies. This presentation reports work in our laboratory that represents the first laboratory study of the optical and chemical properties of wood fuel samples used commonly for domestic use in Sub-Saharan Africa. Following the introduction of the research activities in our group, details of the experimental approach will be provided. Results of measurements of the size selected optical properties of biomass burning aerosols (BBA) as a function of aging and combustion conditions, emission factors and the impact of combustion conditions on morphology of the particles will be presented. Results of density measurements in mass closure techniques to estimate the temporal resolution of particulate mass concentrations will be presented. Finally results of RDG and T-Matrix modeling used to extract refractive indices of the BBA fractals will be presented.
Series
The Joint Earth Seminar Series is a joint initiative of ATOC, Geography, Geological Sciences, and INSTAAR to showcase cutting-edge science of interest to the broader earth science community at CU Boulder. JESS talks are typically given the first week of every month.
Audience
Free and open to the public.