Studying stratospheric dynamics
LLNL scientists use CAMS instruments to analyze the isotopic signatures of particles in Earth’s stratosphere. Through this research, they learn how to more accurately monitor and predict conditions in the stratosphere, which affect the safety and performance of high-altitude aircraft, as well as the impact of volcanic eruptions and megafires on regional and global environmental conditions and global travel.
For example, in one research project, they collected rainwater samples and analyzed the concentrations of beryllium isotopes in the samples at CAMS. By comparing their experimental data with existing chemical transport models, they were able to validate those models and demonstrate that their data collection and analysis approach was effective—setting the stage for future research, where LLNL scientists plan to collect samples in the stratosphere.
Key collaborators: NASA and the University of Maryland
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Planetary science
LLNL scientists use the CAMS particle accelerator and detectors to look back in time to the formation of our solar system. They study the Sun’s elements and isotopes, which are present in solar wind—small pieces of the Sun that are accelerated out into space. The sun comprises approximately 99.9% of the mass of the solar system, so learning what it’s made of, including the precise amounts of its elements and their isotopes, helps scientists understand the composition of our solar system when it was formed.
The current focus of this research involves analyzing solar wind samples collected in space and captured over a two-year timeframe during NASA’s Genesis mission. Unfortunately, many of the samples collected during this mission were damaged and contaminated when the sample capsule suffered a hard landing when returning to Earth, leaving only small fragments of the previously pristine solar wind collectors available for analysis.
In an effort to salvage the research value of the remaining samples, LLNL researchers are enhancing an analytical technique they developed that leverages CAMS capabilities to make high-precision isotopic measurements on samples that that contain only micrograms of the element chlorine. The enhancement will make it possible for scientists to measure chlorine masses that are billion times smaller than micrograms.
Researchers want to precisely measure the chlorine isotope composition of the Sun because the Sun represents the elemental and isotopic composition of the solar system at the time of its formation, and during planetary formation, volatile elements like chlorine are lost, changing the ratio of their isotopes, which leaves clues about the physical processes that the planetary materials experienced. Thus, by studying these isotopes found in solar wind, researchers can also better understand the formation of terrestrial planets and meteorites. For example, they can gain insight regarding the temperatures, pressures, and timescales involved with planetary processes like volcanism, accretion, impacts with other celestial bodies, or periods of planetary-scale magma oceans.
The new research technique can be used to analyze materials from across the solar system, including samples from the moon, Mars, and meteorites that are very small or extremely rare. In addition, the new technique can be adapted for use in LLNL’s nuclear forensics research.
Key collaborator: NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC)
What’s next: LLNL scientists are in the initial stages of research aimed at developing a new experimental approach that will enable them to study the loss, transport, and fractionation of chlorine in high-temperature, low-pressure environments—and ultimately better understand lunar and planetary formation and evolution. The research team is leveraging the isotopic analysis capabilities of CAMS instruments, along with experimental capabilities at NASA JSC, to develop the new research technique.
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