Characterization of the Aerobiome during the SAIL Campaign

This project uses data collected from weather balloons to study fluorescent aerosol

aerosols

Small particles or droplets, such as wildfire smoke, volcanic gases, or salty sea spray, that float in the air. They are emitted by both natural events and human activities.

Source: NASA Global Climate Change Source

concentrations, accumulation and coarse-mode

coarse-mode

Atmospheric aerosols generally have a two modes. The smaller particles are referred to as the fine mode or accumulation mode aerosols. The larger particles comprise the coarse mode. These particles generally have radii between 1.0 and 2.5 microns.

Source: NASA Dark Target Source

size distributions. We also collect aerosol samples for analysis with high- resolution mass spectrometry

mass spectrometry (MS)

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique that separates ionized particles such as atoms, molecules, and clusters and can be used to determine the molecular weight of the particles.

Source: National Library of Medicine Source

and microscopy

microscopy

The use of microscopes to view samples and objects that cannot be seen with the unaided eye.

Source: The University of Edinburgh Source

at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory to identify specific particle morphologies,

morphology

The science of the form and structure of organisms (plants, animals, and other forms of life).

Source: National Cancer Institute Source

chemical compositions, and biomarkers.

biomarker

A biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease.

Source: National Cancer Institute Source