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Applications of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) in Atmospheric Chemistry...
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Applications of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Atmospheric Techniques, Instruments, and Modeling".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2019) | Viewed by 39491

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Marcelo Guzman

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
Interests: environmental photochemistry; interfacial oxidations; environmental monitoring; prebiotic chemistry; photocatalytic CO2 reduction; environmental chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Atmosphere focuses on recent developments and applications of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for atmospheric chemistry and physics measurements. Priority will be given to articles that combine chemical, physical and meteorological measurements performed in recent field campaigns (e.g., the 2018 LAPSE-RATE campaign) but other related works will be considered. Researchers should aim to describe the latest developments in autonomous systems and the atmospheric measurements during the operations of such systems. While broad in scope, the manuscripts are expected to report the operation of UAS platforms with onboard systems that provide useful atmospheric data. The vision of this Special Issue is to provide the newest collection of articles to guide future research and motivate measurements that will increase our understanding of the atmosphere.

Prof. Marcelo Guzman
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 2327 KiB  
Article
Gathering Pipeline Methane Emissions in Utica Shale Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Ground-Based Mobile Sampling
by Hugh Z. Li, Mumbi Mundia-Howe, Matthew D. Reeder and Natalie J. Pekney
Atmosphere 2020, 11(7), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11070716 - 5 Jul 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4602
Abstract
The United States Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gas Inventory only recently updated the emission factors of natural gas gathering pipelines in April 2019 from the previous estimates based on a 1990s study of distribution pipelines. Additional measurements are needed from different basins for [...] Read more.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gas Inventory only recently updated the emission factors of natural gas gathering pipelines in April 2019 from the previous estimates based on a 1990s study of distribution pipelines. Additional measurements are needed from different basins for more accurate assessments of methane emissions from natural gas midstream industries and hence the overall climate implications of natural gas as the interim major energy source for the next decade. We conducted an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) survey and a ground-based vehicle sampling campaign targeting gathering pipeline systems in the Utica Shale from March to April in 2019. Out of 73 km of pipeline systems surveyed, we found no leaks on pipelines and two leaks on an accessory block valve with leak rates of 3.8 ± 0.4 and 7.6 ± 0.8 mg/s. The low leak frequency phenomenon was also observed in the only existing gathering pipeline study in Fayetteville Shale. The UAV sampling system facilitated ease of access, broadened the availability of pipelines for leak detection, and was estimated to detect methane leaks down to 0.07 g/s using Gaussian dispersion modeling. For future UAV surveys adopting similar instrument setup and dispersion models, we recommend arranging controlled release experiments first to understand the system’s detection limit and choosing sampling days with steady and low wind speeds (2 m/s). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics)
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28 pages, 9047 KiB  
Article
Assessing iMET-XQ Performance and Optimal Placement on a Small Off-the-Shelf, Rotary-Wing UAV, as a Function of Atmospheric Conditions
by Sytske K. Kimball, Carlos J. Montalvo and Madhuri S. Mulekar
Atmosphere 2020, 11(6), 660; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11060660 - 20 Jun 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4310
Abstract
The accuracy and precision of iMET-XQ (InterMET Inc., Grand Rapids, MI, USA) temperature measurements in ten different locations on an off-the shelf rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (rw-UAV) were assessed, as a function of atmospheric conditions. The rw-UAV hovered near an instrumented South Alabama [...] Read more.
The accuracy and precision of iMET-XQ (InterMET Inc., Grand Rapids, MI, USA) temperature measurements in ten different locations on an off-the shelf rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (rw-UAV) were assessed, as a function of atmospheric conditions. The rw-UAV hovered near an instrumented South Alabama Mesonet tower. The mean ± standard deviation of all the temperature differences between the tower and the ten iMET-XQ sensors for all experiments are −0.23 °C ±0.24 °C. Both the UAV and the environment influence the accuracy and precision of the iMET-XQ temperature measurements. Heat generated by the electronic components within the UAV body has a significant influence on the iMET-XQ temperature measurements, regardless of solar radiation conditions, and is highly dependent on wind direction. Electronic components within the UAV body heat up and can cause sensors downwind from the UAV body to record temperatures that are too warm, even if the sensors are aspirated by propeller wash. iMET-XQ sensors placed on rotor arms not near UAV body heat sources, and properly aspirated by propeller wash, perform well. Measurements from iMET-XQ sensors suspended below the UAV are also accurate. When using an off-the-shelf UAV for atmospheric temperature sensing, the electronic components inside the body of the UAV must be properly located. It is recommended that multiple sensors are placed on the UAV. Sensor redundancy will mitigate data loss in case of malfunction during flight and the identification of poorly performing sensors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics)
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25 pages, 7618 KiB  
Article
Unmanned Aerial Systems for Investigating the Polar Atmospheric Boundary Layer—Technical Challenges and Examples of Applications
by Astrid Lampert, Barbara Altstädter, Konrad Bärfuss, Lutz Bretschneider, Jesper Sandgaard, Janosch Michaelis, Lennart Lobitz, Magnus Asmussen, Ellen Damm, Ralf Käthner, Thomas Krüger, Christof Lüpkes, Stefan Nowak, Alexander Peuker, Thomas Rausch, Fabian Reiser, Andreas Scholtz, Denis Sotomayor Zakharov, Dominik Gaus, Stephan Bansmer, Birgit Wehner and Falk Pätzoldadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Atmosphere 2020, 11(4), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11040416 - 21 Apr 2020
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5553
Abstract
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) fill a gap in high-resolution observations of meteorological parameters on small scales in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). Especially in the remote polar areas, there is a strong need for such detailed observations with different research foci. In this [...] Read more.
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) fill a gap in high-resolution observations of meteorological parameters on small scales in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). Especially in the remote polar areas, there is a strong need for such detailed observations with different research foci. In this study, three systems are presented which have been adapted to the particular needs for operating in harsh polar environments: The fixed-wing aircraft M 2 AV with a mass of 6 kg, the quadrocopter ALICE with a mass of 19 kg, and the fixed-wing aircraft ALADINA with a mass of almost 25 kg. For all three systems, their particular modifications for polar operations are documented, in particular the insulation and heating requirements for low temperatures. Each system has completed meteorological observations under challenging conditions, including take-off and landing on the ice surface, low temperatures (down to −28 ∘ C), icing, and, for the quadrocopter, under the impact of the rotor downwash. The influence on the measured parameters is addressed here in the form of numerical simulations and spectral data analysis. Furthermore, results from several case studies are discussed: With the M 2 AV, low-level flights above leads in Antarctic sea ice were performed to study the impact of areas of open water within ice surfaces on the ABL, and a comparison with simulations was performed. ALICE was used to study the small-scale structure and short-term variability of the ABL during a cruise of RV Polarstern to the 79 ∘ N glacier in Greenland. With ALADINA, aerosol measurements of different size classes were performed in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, in highly complex terrain. In particular, very small, freshly formed particles are difficult to monitor and require the active control of temperature inside the instruments. The main aim of the article is to demonstrate the potential of UAS for ABL studies in polar environments, and to provide practical advice for future research activities with similar systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics)
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26 pages, 5078 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Temperature Measurements of the iMET-XQ, in the Field, under Varying Atmospheric Conditions
by Sytske K. Kimball, Carlos J. Montalvo and Madhuri S. Mulekar
Atmosphere 2020, 11(4), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11040335 - 30 Mar 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3892
Abstract
Temperature measurements of InterMET Inc. aluminum-coated iMET-XQ sensors were tested in an outdoor setting under a variety of solar radiation and wind speed conditions. Twelve unshielded sensors were mounted side-by-side on the tower of a South Alabama Mesonet weather station next to a [...] Read more.
Temperature measurements of InterMET Inc. aluminum-coated iMET-XQ sensors were tested in an outdoor setting under a variety of solar radiation and wind speed conditions. Twelve unshielded sensors were mounted side-by-side on the tower of a South Alabama Mesonet weather station next to a reference sensor on the tower. The iMET-XQ temperatures were most precise and accurate in solar radiation values that were close to zero, regardless of wind speed. Under overcast conditions, wind speeds of 2 m s−1 were sufficient to obtain precise and accurate temperature measurements. During the day-time, aspiration of wind speeds higher than or equal to 3 m s−1 is sufficient. An iMET-XQ was placed in a radiation shield next to the tower reference sensor to test the need for a radiation shield. A second iMET-XQ was placed unshielded on the tower. The iMET-XQ sensors with aluminum coating do not need to be shielded, but they do need to be aspirated. It is recommended that, when taking temperature measurements using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with iMET-XQ sensors, the UAV either fly at 3 m s−1, be embedded in winds of those speeds, or to use the propeller wash of the UAV to aspirate the sensors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics)
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14 pages, 14391 KiB  
Article
Vertical Profiles of Ozone Concentration Collected by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and the Mixing of the Nighttime Boundary Layer over an Amazonian Urban Area
by Patrícia Guimarães, Jianhuai Ye, Carla Batista, Rafael Barbosa, Igor Ribeiro, Adan Medeiros, Rodrigo Souza and Scot T. Martin
Atmosphere 2019, 10(10), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos10100599 - 3 Oct 2019
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5499
Abstract
The nighttime boundary layer was studied in an urban area surrounded by tropical forest by use of a copter-type unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in central Amazonia during the wet season. Fifty-seven vertical profiles of ozone concentration, potential temperature, and specific humidity were collected [...] Read more.
The nighttime boundary layer was studied in an urban area surrounded by tropical forest by use of a copter-type unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in central Amazonia during the wet season. Fifty-seven vertical profiles of ozone concentration, potential temperature, and specific humidity were collected from surface to 500 m above ground level (a.g.l.) at high vertical and temporal resolutions by use of embedded sensors on the UAV. Abrupt changes in ozone concentration with altitude served as a proxy of nighttime boundary layer (NBL) height for the case of a normal, undisturbed, stratified nighttime atmosphere, corresponding to 40% of the cases. The median height of the boundary layer was 300 m. A turbulent mixing NBL constituted 28% of the profiles, while the median height of the boundary layer was 290 m. The remaining 32% of profiles corresponded to complex atmospheres without clear boundary layer heights. The occurrence of the three different cases correlated well with relative cloud cover. The results show that the standard nighttime model widely implemented in chemical transport models holds just 40% of the time, suggesting new challenges in modeling of regional nighttime chemistry. The boundary layer heights were also somewhat higher than observed previously over forested and pasture areas in Amazonia, indicating the important effect of the urban heat island. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics)
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17 pages, 10547 KiB  
Article
Measuring Regional Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations in the Lower Troposphere with a Non-Dispersive Infrared Analyzer Mounted on a UAV, Ogata Village, Akita, Japan
by Takashi Chiba, Yumi Haga, Makoto Inoue, Osamu Kiguchi, Takeshi Nagayoshi, Hirokazu Madokoro and Isamu Morino
Atmosphere 2019, 10(9), 487; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos10090487 - 23 Aug 2019
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 7876
Abstract
We have developed a simple measuring system prototype that uses an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) analyzer to detect regional carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and obtain vertical CO2 distributions. Here, we report CO2 measurement results [...] Read more.
We have developed a simple measuring system prototype that uses an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) analyzer to detect regional carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and obtain vertical CO2 distributions. Here, we report CO2 measurement results for the lower troposphere above Ogata Village, Akita Prefecture, Japan (about 40° N, 140° E, approximately −1 m amsl), obtained with this UAV system. The actual flight observations were conducted at 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, and 10 m above the ground, at least once a month during the daytime from February 2018 to February 2019. The raw CO2 values from the NDIR were calibrated by two different CO2 standard gases and high-purity nitrogen (N2) gas (as a CO2 zero gas; 0 ppm). During the observation period, the maximum CO2 concentration was measured in February 2019 and the minimum in August 2018. In all seasons, CO2 concentrations became higher as the flight altitude was increased. The monthly pattern of observed CO2 changes is similar to that generally observed in the Northern Hemisphere as well as to surface CO2 changes simulated by an atmospheric transport model of the Japan Meteorological Agency. It is highly probable that these changes reflect the vegetation distribution around the study area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics)
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14 pages, 8438 KiB  
Article
Monitoring Tropospheric Gases with Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) during the Second CLOUDMAP Flight Campaign
by Travis J. Schuyler, Sean C. C. Bailey and Marcelo I. Guzman
Atmosphere 2019, 10(8), 434; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos10080434 - 27 Jul 2019
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5705
Abstract
Small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) are a promising technology for atmospheric monitoring of trace atmospheric gases. While sUAS can be navigated to provide information with higher spatiotemporal resolution than tethered balloons, they can also bridge the gap between the regions of the atmospheric [...] Read more.
Small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) are a promising technology for atmospheric monitoring of trace atmospheric gases. While sUAS can be navigated to provide information with higher spatiotemporal resolution than tethered balloons, they can also bridge the gap between the regions of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) sampled by ground stations and manned aircraft. Additionally, sUAS can be effectively employed in the petroleum industry, e.g., to constrain leaking regions of hydrocarbons from long gasoducts. Herein, sUAS are demonstrated to be a valuable technology for studying the concentration of important trace tropospheric gases in the ABL. The successful detection and quantification of gases is performed with lightweight sensor packages of low-power consumption that possess limits of detection on the ppm scale or below with reasonably fast response times. The datasets reported include timestamps with position, temperature, relative humidity, pressure, and variable mixing ratio values of ~400 ppm CO2, ~1900 ppb CH4, and ~5.5 ppb NH3. The sensor packages were deployed aboard two different sUAS operating simultaneously during the second CLOUDMAP flight campaign in Oklahoma, held during 26–29 June 2017. A Skywalker X8 fixed wing aircraft was used to fly horizontally at a constant altitude, while vertical profiles were provided by a DJI Phantom 3 (DJI P3) quadcopter flying upward and downward at fixed latitude-longitude coordinates. The results presented have been gathered during 8 experiments consisting of 32 simultaneous flights with both sUAS, which have been authorized by the United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) under the current regulations (Part 107). In conclusion, this work serves as proof of concept showing the atmospheric value of information provided by the developed sensor systems aboard sUAS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics)
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