TRACER-MAP: Mapping Aerosol Processes Across Houston During Convective Cell Events
The Houston, TX Metropolitan area was selected for the 2022 Tracking Aerosol Convection Interactions Experiment (TRACER) due to its high convective storm activity and broad range of polluted aerosol conditions. With the overall TRACER project in mind, we planned TRACER-MAP, a related investigation of the impacts of convective storms on atmospheric composition, chemistry and aerosol processing in Houston. Because the Houston metroplex is large and has a wide range of atmospheric conditions, this project has “MAP-ped” the air chemistry conditions across Houston while atmospheric scientists working in the TRACER project monitor convective storm activity overhead. Specifically, we conducted a series of aerosol, gas, and meteorological measurements in the summer of 2022 that matches measurements from the Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Mobile Facilities. The TRACER-MAP campaign extended from Jul 1 – Sept 3, 2022. TRACER-MAP included two urban sites: Aldine and University of Houston (UH); two industrial sites: San Jacinto Battleground and the main DOE TRACER site at the La Porte Municipal Airport (ARM/La Porte AMF); and one background site in WG Jones State Forest north of Houston.