Ann M. Dillner

Research Interests

Measuring the chemical composition of particulate matter air pollution (aerosols) for understanding health impacts, visibility degradation and climate forcing.
Developing and utilizing Fourier Transform – Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) on Teflon filter particulate matter samples coupled with multivariate calibration methods for measuring chemical composition and identifying sources of particulate matter.
Quantifying and characterizing the composition of smoke from forest fires, prescribed burns, residential wood burning and cook stoves.
Characterizing aerosol in national and international monitoring networks.

Image: Ann Dillner standing next to a monitoring station at a sandy beach.

Ann M. Dillner

Associate Director of Analytical Research

Education

Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering – 2000

University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering - 1992

Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering – 1989

Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX

Resources

Rates for analyzing and measuring composition from Teflon aerosol samples: https://aqrc.ucdavis.edu/order-services
FT-IR spectra manipulation and calibrations to measure functional groups, OC and EC: http://airspec.epfl.ch
Mechanical drawings for sample chamber for a Bruker Tensor 27 or Bruker Tensor II FT-IR instrument: https://aqrc.ucdavis.edu/mtl-weighing-chamber

National and International Monitoring Networks with FT-IR measurements

Improve logo

The IMPROVE network has ~160 particulate matter monitoring sites in located primarily in National Parks and Wilderness areas in the US. Filter samples are collected for gravimetric and chemical analysis of PM2.5 for the purpose of monitoring visibility, accessing trends in PM composition and quantifying radiative forcing impact. More information can be found here: http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/Improve

IMPROVE data can be found here: http://views.cira.colostate.edu/fed/QueryWizard/Default.aspx

The SPARTAN network has PM2.5 monitoring sites worldwide to measure PM composition and light-scattering to evaluate and enhance satellite remote sensing estimates of PM2.5. Current ground based measurements have insufficient global coverage to assess exposure to PM2.5, a leading cause of death worldwide. More information can be found here.

https://www.spartan-network.org

Chemical Speciation Network

The Chemical Speciation Network has ~130 PM2.5 monitoring sites in the US located in urban and suburban areas. Filter samples are collected and analyzed using methods similar to IMPROVE for the purpose of assessing health impacts and trends.

https://www.epa.gov/outdoor-air-quality-data

Mission to Earth: Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosol

The MAIA satellite will be launched in 2022 with new capabilities for accessing PM composition from satellite data. New ground based measurements will be established to assist in the development of PM retrieval algorithms. More information on the MAIA satellite and project can be found here.

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/multi-angle-imager-for-aerosols-maia

The ASCENT network is new (2021) high time-resolution, long-term measurement network in the US to characterize aerosol chemical and physical properties. ASCENT is funded by NSF and currently has 12 sites collocated with IMPROVE, CSN, NEON and regional/local network sites. Instrumentation at each site includes an ACSM, Xact, SMPS and aethalometer, along with parallel filter measurements for functional groups measurements at most sites.

https://ascent.research.gatech.edu/

Air Quality Research Center

Research Interests

Ann M. Dillner

Associate Director of Analytical Research

Email: amdillner@ucdavis.edu

Research Publications

Education

Resources

National and International Monitoring Networks with FT-IR measurements