Recently we deployed a 2 laser spectrometer to measure methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) to measure urban outflow from the City of Chicago. This instrument will measure from an inlet on top of the Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago. We will use the data to study the sources of CH4 emissions from the region. Some of the things we hope to learn include how much methane is coming from the city, how much of that methane is coming from thermogenic sources such as the city’s natural gas distribution network, and how much methane is coming from biogenic sources such as landfills and other metabolic processes. Thanks a ton to the staff at the Rockefeller chapel for being amazing hosts!
More information to come soon but here is a photo of the chapel taken from the cockpit of a research flight we recently flown onboard the Purdue Duchess (ALAR).
Another photo from the ALAR cockpit as we flew over the downtown portion of the city!!
