Development of improved and targeted quantification of ammonia emissions

Introduction

Ammonia (NH₃) has an ever-growing influence on air pollution in the UK and worldwide with numerous considerable impacts such as the formation of secondary particles (now the dominant contribution), nitrogen deposition and eutrophication. Despite the importance of NH₃, emissions of NH₃ are highly uncertain. The need to reduce NH₃ emissions in Europe as part of controlling the long-range transport of air pollution is well-established through international commitments. While emissions of other pollutants that are also controlled internationally such as NO_x, SOx and PM2.5, NH₃arguably poses the greatest challenge to effectively control. This project aims to significantly improve the quantification of NH₃ emissions in the UK through targeted measurements using a mobile laboratory.

 Underpinning these issues is the weak evidence related to NH₃ sources in terms of their magnitude, spatial and temporal distributions. The lack of robust evidence in this area is a major limitation in understanding of current and future impacts of NH₃ emissions in the UK and beyond; and is out of step with the current evidence available on emissions and concentrations. However, any current or future policies aiming to control NH₃ emissions will need to be based on robust information on the emission source strength from numerous types of sources e.g. including agriculture and combustion sources.

 Aims of the PhD

The project will use a dedicated new, highly capable instrument for measuring NH₃ in the atmosphere based on a Quantum Cascade Laser Absorption Spectroscopy. The short open-path instrument will be added to the mobile laboratory for making fast (up to 10 Hz) measurements of NH₃. The instrument also has the capability of making atmospheric flux measurements to quantify area source emissions.

 The PhD project will make use of the Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories (WACL) mobile laboratory to develop and refine methods for NH₃ emissions quantification and develop an improved understanding of the spatial distribution of ambient concentrations. The mobile laboratory has the potential to measure a wide range of air pollutants and greenhouse gases including NO_x, NO₂, CO, SO₂, particulate matter (at a range of sizes) CH4 and CO₂

 The type of activities the student would be involved with include:

•  High resolution measurements of atmospheric concentrations of ammonia
• Targeted emission measurements including stationary measurements from mobile sources and mobile measurements for point sources.
• Flux measurements for area-type sources.
• Learning to use an advanced air quality model to support the quantification of ammonia emissions.
• Development of data analysis techniques for emissions quantification using R software where the group has considerable expertise e.g. openair.

 Benefits to student

 The student would join one of the UK’s leading centres for atmospheric research. The PhD would offer broad training and experience covering instrument use, development of mobile measurement capabilities through fieldwork, and a strong emphasis on developing excellent analysis and data interpretation skills for developing new insights. The confirmed CASE partner, Ricardo, is the UK’s largest consultancy for air quality and which leads many large national and international projects related to air pollution, including the measurement and modelling of NH₃. As a CASE-supported PhD, Ricardo will enhance the stipend by £1000 per year and support regular visits to Ricardo offices where there will be the opportunity to develop wider skills and experience, which would help support future career development.

 Skills and training developments:

•  Atmospheric measurements, experiment design, instrument development
• Data analysis methods/R, spatial data, software development
• Air pollution modelling using the CERC ADMS model
• Working with others at WACL – not only the facilities but also several research groups in the same building with a range of expertise and a good mix of science, engineering and computing skills. Instrument design/development done in-house.
• Working with Ricardo to further broaden experience and career opportunities.

It would be anticipated that the outputs from this project would provide invaluable new information to the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI), where the uncertainties of NH₃ emissions is well-recognised, and several strong journal publications.

Further project description on the Panorama DTP web page: https://panorama-dtp.ac.uk/research/development-of-improved-and-targeted-quantification-of-ammonia-emissions-2/

You will be part of the Leeds-York Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) PANORAMA Doctoral Training partnership (DTP) which has a comprehensive programme of researcher training covering subject-specific and generic skills. You will be based at the University of York and also have access to York’s core cohort-based training programme to support the development of scientific, transferable and employability skills, as well as training on specific techniques and equipment. Training includes employability and professionalism, graduate teaching assistant training and guidance on writing papers. https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/postgraduate/training/idtc/idtctraining/

There will be opportunities for networking and sharing your work both within and beyond the University. Funding is provided to enable you to attend conferences and external training. The department also runs a varied and comprehensive seminar programme.

Equal Opportunities:

Within the NERC Panorama DTP, we are dedicated to diversifying our community. As part of our ongoing work to improve Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within our PhD funding programme, we particularly encourage applications from the following identified underrepresented groups: UK Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, those from a disadvantaged socio-economic background, and disabled people. To support candidates from these groups, we are ringfencing an additional 10% interviews. We have also ringfenced a full Panorama studentship at York. Candidates will always be selected based on merit and ability within an inclusive and fair recruitment process.

Candidate support:

To support candidates in their application, we have Candidate Resources (including example interview questions) as well as guidance on our dedicated FAQ webpages.

Last year we held bespoke webinars on ‘Demystifying the PhD application process’, with Panorama staff and a Q&A from existing students. You can view the recordings: webinar #1 and webinar #2.

Submit an online PhD in Chemistry application: https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/apply?course=DRPCHESCHE3

The start date for the PhD at York will be 16 September 2024