This course provides the key skills required for practical fieldwork, and covers the linkages between modelling and observations in a digital ecosystem.

We are looking for a Head of Observations to lead and shape the future of NCAS’s atmospheric measurement and observational science capability.

During one of this summer’s UK heatwaves, we sparked conversations about climate change by combining art, science and local stories.

Wildfires contribute to climate change by releasing greenhouse gases and other pollutants into the atmosphere, and by triggering vegetation changes.

The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. We perform cutting-edge research in the fields of future technologies, energy...

Organosulfates (OSs) form a significant component of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in the atmosphere. Previously, their measurement using reversed-phase liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (RPLC–HRMS) has led to poor retention and significant matrix effects. Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) provides improved retention of polar OSs, such as those formed from isoprene oxidation, and reduced matrix effects. Studies employing HILIC predominantly use gradient elution to separate OSs with varying polarities. HILIC, however, is very sensitive to changes in the water layer within the column, which facilitates separation, meaning the column needs to be thoroughly equilibrated before each injection, significantly increasing analysis time, cost, and solvent waste. The work presented here describes the development of an isocratic HILIC method to analyze OSs in complex ambient PM2.5 samples. This new method significantly reduces solvent usage and analysis time, which is vital for the analysis of large quantities of samples. The method was first validated with synthesized isoprene-derived OS tracers (iOS) and commercially available standards, then applied in the iOS analysis of filter samples collected during the summertime in Manchester, England. Eight filter samples were taken each day, allowing the temporal evolution of iOS tracers to be elucidated. For 336 ambient samples analyzed in this work, the adoption of the isocratic method resulted in a total time saving of 61 h and reduced organic solvent usage by 1.68 L. The targeted analysis of iOS was quantified using authentic standards. Five 2-methyltetrol OS isomers were quantified (C5H12O7S; MTOS_1–4, 6) averaging 0.36, 0.11, 1.25, 2.12, and 0.17 ng m–3, respectively. The average concentration of total 2-methyltetrol OS was 3.99 ng m–3, and 2-methylglyceric acid OS (C4H8O7S: MGOS) was 1.07 ng m–3.

This position is available immediately. The work schedule is typically Monday–Friday, with occasional weekend days during deployment periods. Outside of deployment periods the work schedule has increased flexibility to balance the deployments.