Air Quality Measurement Techniques

3 units

Aerosol particles in the atmosphere play an important role in determining air quality and in impacting climate. This course aims to introduce students to the techniques and fundamental operating principles of a variety of aerosol particle measurement instruments, as well as tools used to monitor air quality more broadly. The course will focus on aerosol particle count measurements, particle size distribution measurements, and particle chemical composition measurements. We will also cover tools used to measure greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere. We will explore measurement techniques from well-established tools to the latest novel instrumentation, including those used for air quality regulatory assessments and in research studies. We will discuss examples of air quality measurement technology applications, including outdoor air pollution monitoring, indoor air filtration, biological aerosol measurements, satellite-based observations, and more.