ClearfLo: Clean Air for London
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Poor air quality, particularly in urban areas, has a demonstrable effect on human health, but the processes responsible for producing the main pollutants, namely particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and heat are not well understood and are poorly predicted. The ambition of ClearfLo is to provide integrated measurements of the meteorology, composition and particulate loading of London's urban atmosphere, made at street level and at elevated sites, complemented by modelling, to improve predictive capability for air quality. This ambition will be addressed by establishing new measurement capabilities in London, which will be used for long-term measurements and intensive observation periods, and by analysis and modelling of the measurements to establish key processes.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| James Lee (Principal Investigator) | |
| James Hopkins (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Lee J
(2016)
Detailed budget analysis of HONO in central London reveals a missing daytime source
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Lee JD
(2015)
Measurement of NO(x) fluxes from a tall tower in Central London, UK and comparison with emissions inventories.
in Environmental science & technology
Lewis A
(2016)
Validate personal air-pollution sensors.
in Nature
Lewis AC
(2015)
Vehicle emissions: Diesel pollution long under-reported.
in Nature
Liu S
(2015)
Enhanced light absorption by mixed source black and brown carbon particles in UK winter
in Nature Communications
Malkin TL
(2016)
Assessing chemistry schemes and constraints in air quality models used to predict ozone in London against the detailed Master Chemical Mechanism.
in Faraday discussions
Nault B
(2021)
Secondary organic aerosols from anthropogenic volatile organic compounds contribute substantially to air pollution mortality
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
O'Shea S
(2014)
Area fluxes of carbon dioxide, methane, and carbon monoxide derived from airborne measurements around Greater London: A case study during summer 2012
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
| Description | Direct measurements of the flux of NOx based at the BT tower have shown that there is a significant underestimation in the estimated NOx in emission inventories. This provides further evidence that the road traffic source of NOx in estimates is not well described. Measurements of nitrous acid (HONO) in London, along with a range of its sources and sinks, have shown a missing HONO source that cannot be described with chemistry in the literature. this missing HONO is important as it represents a significant missing atmospheric oxidant, which is important in the description of ozone formation. |
| Exploitation Route | The NOx flux measurements can potentially be used to help improve emissions inventories, which are key in predicting current and future air quality. |
| Sectors | Environment |
| Description | The research has added to the body of knowledge that has put air quality high up on the government agenda. The work on emissions from diesel vehicles (VOCs and NOx) in particular has helped show the effects of the increase in the diesel fleet over the past 10 years on air quality in London. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
| Sector | Environment |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | Media interest (London air pollution) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | BBC news (TV and online) article on 8th August 2012 describing the research project and our aims to improve knowledge of air pollution in London and the wider UK. Emails requested further information on the research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19180981 |