BACS

The objective of the BioAerosols and Convective Storms (BACS) project is to quantitatively study the concentrations, distributions, identities, and wet deposition of bioaerosols, specifically targeting intact pollen, sub-pollen particles, fungal spores, and bacteria, surrounding convective storm periods – particularly storm-generated cold pools. Two field deployments occurred as part of this project. BACS-I took place from May 23 through June 18, 2022 and BACS-II from May 22 through June 23, 2023. (NB: Some datasets may also include data before and after these dates.) 

Extensive instrumentation was deployed within the USDA Central Plains Experimental Range (CPER) at two sites, the Semi-Arid Grasslands Research Center (40.8095 N, 104.7778 W) and the NSF Ecological Observing Network (NEON) flux tower located within the CPER site (40.8155 N, 104.7456 W). Measurements were made on platforms located on the ground, the 8 m tall NEON tower top, and aloft on sUAS (drones) at altitudes up to 350 m AGL as well as via radiosondes. Measurements include fluorescent and total particle distributions and their vertical profiles, particle characterization, chemical analysis, DNA sequencing, atmospheric thermodynamics and winds, and precipitation, among others. Related numerical modeling efforts motivated by the campaign results were conducted using the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) to understand potential transport pathways of bioaerosols by successive cold pools and by different storm modes. Outcomes from the research are: 1) a comprehensive data set of general and cloud-relevant aerosol data and bioaerosol identifying characteristics, 2) determination of the vertical distribution of particles in the lower atmosphere under varying meteorological conditions, 3) a comprehensive thermodynamic characterization of cold pool and other boundary passage events and 4) an assessment of transport pathways of bioaerosols in storms and the impact of bioaerosols on cloud-relevant aerosol populations.

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation through awards AGS-2106370 and AGS-2105938.

Collaborators and Partners
USDA Agricultural Research Services (ARS)

National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON)

NSF Biology Integration Institute Regional OneHealth Aerobiome Discovery Network (BROADN) at CSU