Speaker: Róisín Commane, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Dept. of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University
Title: Interactions between Energy & Environment: Measuring Air Quality & Greenhouse Gases in NYC
Abstract: Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide are potent greenhouse gases and emitted in large quantities from urban areas. CO2 emissions from combustion sources (such as power plants and vehicles) are closely tied to emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which produces ozone (O3) in the presence of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Although New York is the largest urban source of CO2 and NO2 in the US, there have been limited CO2 measurements in the New York metro area until now. I will discuss our first steps to establish a comprehensive greenhouse gas measurement network around New York and preliminary results from measurements made in collaboration with NGENS.
Bio: Roisin is an Assistant Professor in the Dept. Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, where her group examines multidisciplinary questions drawing together atmospheric chemistry, composition and transport, and terrestrial ecology. She has a PhD from University of Leeds, UK in atmospheric chemistry and was a Research Associate at Harvard University 2009-2018.