74 Research Summary: Supporting the Operations and Maintenance of the UUNET Weather and MEOP Air Quality Platforms in Northern Utah

Faculty Mentor: John Horel (Atmospheric Sciences, University of Utah)

The UUNET network of weather stations in northern Utah is supported by researchers in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah. Sensors are deployed to monitor common meteorological parameters (temperature, wind, moisture, pressure, solar radiation) in rural and urban locations. Personnel are needed to ensure station operability and accuracy of observations. For example, anemometer bearings are replaced as needed and solar charging of batteries and precipitation gauge performance are monitored. Other deployed instrumentation for research projects includes air quality monitors (PM, Ozone), ceilometers, and eddy covariance sensors. The eddy covariance platforms have been installed near commercial evaporation ponds and exposed lakebed playa surrounding the Great Salt Lake to estimate evaporation and improve understanding of the lake’s water balance. Quality control goes hand in hand with fieldwork and plays a crucial aspect in UUNET’s operations.

The Mobile Environmental Observing Platform (MEOP) project relies on a network of 15 electric buses and 3 light rail trains operated by the Utah Transit Authority. Each platform is outfitted with air quality equipment to monitor particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10) and ozone as well as temperature and humidity. GPS sensors are used to provide geolocation information. Performing maintenance on MEOP equipment is done as needed or scheduled for twice-yearly visits to exchange filters and check wiring. When trains are in maintenance depots, quality assurance and control is critical for inferring and removing unwanted inside observations.

I have always been interested in the weather and weather-related fields such as forecasting and storm spotting. Prior to going through the undergraduate instrumentation class and getting my position as Laboratory Technician in the Mountain Meteorology lab, I did not have much experience with electrical circuits, data transmission, and all the other aspects that goes along with instrumentation. Throughout the last two years of being a Lab Technician and gaining experience, my knowledge has grown immensely. In my experience, I have had the opportunity to go out into the field and perform maintenance on our network of weather stations, conduct repairs on various equipment ranging from dust monitors to anemometers, build new platforms of meteorological and air quality monitors to achieve various research goals, gain experience performing data management and quality control, and being a Teacher’s Assistant for the Environmental Instrumentation course.

My skills have grown immensely through the expertise of Dr. John Horel and the members of his research group. I have a much higher confidence in the field and look forward to taking the skills I have learned and applying them to future opportunities. I have also enjoyed the research aspects of the position and am actively looking at positions to continue my growth in the field, including graduate school.