Jinyanzi Luo is measuring isoprene fluxes using eddy covariance techniques at the University of Michigan Biological Station. Isoprene is a reactive biogenic volatile organic compound emitted by many plants. Previous studies have shown isoprene emissions increase with temperature and light levels throughout the day, peaking in the afternoon. The objectives are to process flux data from late May to mid-June and compare the results to data from 2000-2007 to see how emissions have changed in the last decade.

1. Measurements of Isoprene fluxes at University of Michigan
Biological Station
Undergraduate Researcher: Jinyanzi Luo
Faculty Advisor: Shelley Pressley, Brian Lamb, Tim VanReken
Other Collaborators:
Home Institution: Bellevue College, Electrical Engineering, Sophomore
Abstract:
Isoprene (C5H8) is produced and emitted by many plants, and it is one of the
more reactive biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). Its oxidation products
are precursors to aerosols and haze, and they will preferentially react with
anthropogenic nitric oxides leading to increased levels of regional ozone. Previous
measurements show isoprene emissions increase throughout a typical day with
increasing temperature and light levels, peak at midafternoon, and decline to zero
by night. Strong daily correlations between isoprene fluxes and associated energy
fluxes (sensible and latent heat) were also noted in previous measurements.
Isoprene fluxes are currently (since late May) being measured continuously using
eddy covariance techniques at a mixed hardwood forest in northern lower MI.
Seasonal isoprene flux measurements have been conducted yearly at this sight
between 2000 and 2007. Calculating isoprene fluxes requires post-processing 10 Hz
data and applying multiple correction factors. Objectives for this research project
are to process and analyze flux data for the first half of the summer and compare
results to previous flux data, to see how these emissions have changed in the last
decade. Anticipated results will include a time series of isoprene and associated
energy fluxes, along with local meteorological variables for the month of June.