Speciation

• Carbonaceous aerosols
• Microplastics
• Source attribution
• Mixed industrial zone
• Combustion, dust, minerals

Mote uses a unique multi-modal* approach with increasing levels of complexity to reduce uncertainty. Approaches for common industrial applications:

1. Scan: SEM-EDS,
2. Identify: O-PTIR/Raman,
3. Resolve: Synchrotron techniques

*Fit-for-purpose does not always require a multi-modal approach.

A needle in a haystack?

How do you know if there is a risk to the community? Erionite is a toxic elongated mineral particle, naturally occurring in the volcanic bedrock. We developed a unique automated analysis, in collaboration with the U.S. EPA, to investigate its prevalence in a semi-rural community.

Outcomes: An 18-month field measurement campaign with our smart FilterMotes and application of our automated SEM assessment methodology found fibres, however, none were classified as erionite, and the risk was deemed to be low for the community.

Agriculture or chicken farm?

Agriculture and farming emissions are common issues facing communities. We were asked to find out how much a chicken farm was affecting the air quality downwind of the operation.

Outcomes: A short-term field campaign with smart sampling, using FilterMotes and our multi-modal assessment, found organic particles unique to the chicken farm exhaust emissions. These findings can be used to understand community impacts and enforce better mitigation strategies in the future.

Industrial or ports?

Ports are common industrial practices in cities around the world. They can have an impact on environmental quality, but this is confounded by the rest of the cities activities. We were asked to differentiate between activities at the port.

Outcomes: A combined MultiSampler and FilterMote smart sampling approach could differentiate sources contributing to the local airshed. Particles identified from unique operations help management practices at those sites to improve environmental outcomes.