Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasurement NeTwork (ASCENT): A New Ground-based High Time-resolution Air Quality Monitoring Network

NGA LEE NG, Ann Dillner, Roya Bahreini, Armistead G. Russell, Jeff de La Beaujardiere, James Flynn, Drew Gentner, Robert Griffin, Lelia Hawkins, Jose-Luis Jimenez, Jingqiu Mao, Shane Murphy, Eric Nienhouse, Albert Presto, Sean Raffuse, Allen Robinson, John Seinfeld, Jason Surratt, Joel A. Thornton, Bridget Thrasher, Georgia Institute of Technology

     Abstract Number: 187
     Working Group: Source Apportionment

Abstract
The Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasurement NeTwork (ASCENT) is a new comprehensive, high time-resolution, long-term monitoring network in the U.S. for characterization of aerosol chemical composition and physical properties. ASCENT is funded through the NSF Mid-Scale Research Infrastructure program. A total of 12 sites will be established across the country, leveraging existing atmospheric networks including National Core (NCore), Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS), Interagency Monitoring of Visual Environments (IMPROVE), National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCQAMD), and Houston Network of Environmental Towers (HNET). The ASCENT sites cover rural/remote/background, urban, and tribal sites. Each site will be equipped with a suite of advanced aerosol instrumentation for real-time measurements of fine aerosol chemical composition and properties: Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM, non-refractory aerosols), Xact (trace metals), Aethalometer (black/brown carbon), and Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS, aerosol number size distribution and concentration). In addition, value-added products will be developed, including parameterizations of FT-IR and ACSM data to increase the chemical resolution of organic aerosols from the ACSM, as well as aerosol source apportionment analyses. A comprehensive data infrastructure will also be developed for automated data quality assurance/control, upload/download, discovery/visualization, and long-term data preservation, providing open and free access to ASCENT database. ASCENT will enable a wide range of new and exciting research capabilities in atmospheric science, climate, and air quality, and will advance our understanding of aerosol sources and characteristics on spatiotemporal scales not previously possible. ASCENT will also provide critical information to fully utilize new observations from upcoming satellite-based instruments. With the development of the mid-scale infrastructure, ASCENT provides unique opportunities for research scientists and policy analysts to study chemical transformations of aerosols on short time scales due to changes in fuel, land use, and emissions.