Kate Furneaux

MChem, University of Sheffield 2005 (Chemistry with study in North America)

I joined the group in Autumn 2005 as part of the ground based FAGE team. My PhD research comprises of field measurements of free radical species by laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIF). We use the LIF technique to measure OH, HO₂ and IO at ground level.

Measurement of HO_x radicals

The OH radical is the most important daytime oxidant. The HO₂ radical is strongly coupled to OH through chemical reaction cycles, thus the two are often grouped together as HO_x. The measurement of HO_x radicals is crucial to aid understanding of the oxidising capacity of the atmosphere. In May and June 2007 the FAGE ground based instrument was deployed in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde as part of the RHaMBLe project. These measurements provided HOx concentrations at a tropical, clean, open ocean site in the marine boundary layer. From April to July 2008 the FAGE ground based instrument will be deployed in the rainforest at Danum Valley, Borneo as part of the OP3 project. This campaign aims to further our understanding of how species emitted from a tropical rain forest can perturb the atmosphere.

Measurement of IO

The IO radical is a key species in the iodine cycle. It is involved in new partical formation, ozone depletion, DMS oxidation and effects HOx and NOx partitioning. In September 2006 we deployed a LIF instrument to measure ambient IO in Brittany, France as part of the RHaMBLe project. This provided point source IO measurements in the marine boundary layer.