New Setup of the UAS ALADINA for Measuring Boundary Layer Properties, Atmospheric Particles and Solar Radiation

The unmanned research aircraft ALADINA (Application of Light-weight Aircraft for Detecting in situ Aerosols) has been established as an important tool for boundary layer research. For simplified integration of additional sensor payload, a flexible and reliable data acquisition system was developed at the Institute of Flight Guidance, Technische Universität (TU) Braunschweig. The instrumentation consists of sensors for temperature, humidity, three-dimensional wind vector, position, black carbon, irradiance and atmospheric particles in the diameter range of ultra-fine particles up to the accumulation mode. The modular concept allows for straightforward integration and exchange of sensors. So far, more than 200 measurement flights have been performed with the robustly-engineered system ALADINA at different locations. The obtained datasets are unique in the field of atmospheric boundary layer research. In this study, a new data processing method for deriving parameters with fast resolution and to provide reliable accuracies is presented. Based on tests in the field and in the laboratory, the limitations and verifiability of integrated sensors are discussed

Unmanned Aerial Systems for Investigating the Polar Atmospheric Boundary Layer—Technical Challenges and Examples of Applications

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) fill a gap in high-resolution observations of meteorological parameters on small scales in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). Especially in the remote polar areas, there is a strong need for such detailed observations with different research foci. In this study, three systems are presented which have been adapted to the particular needs for operating in harsh polar environments: The fixed-wing aircraft M^2AV with a mass of 6 kg, the quadrocopter ALICE with a mass of 19 kg, and the fixed-wing aircraft ALADINA with a mass of almost 25 kg. For all three systems, their particular modifications for polar operations are documented, in particular the insulation and heating requirements for low temperatures. Each system has completed meteorological observations under challenging conditions, including take-off and landing on the ice surface, low temperatures (down to −28 °C), icing, and, for the quadrocopter, under the impact of the rotor downwash. The influence on the measured parameters is addressed here in the form of numerical simulations and spectral data analysis. Furthermore, results from several case studies are discussed: With the M^2AV, low-level flights above leads in Antarctic sea ice were performed to study the impact of areas of open water within ice surfaces on the ABL, and a comparison with simulations was performed. ALICE was used to study the small-scale structure and short-term variability of the ABL during a cruise of RV Polarstern to the 79°N glacier in Greenland. With ALADINA, aerosol measurements of different size classes were performed in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, in highly complex terrain. In particular, very small, freshly formed particles are difficult to monitor and require the active control of temperature inside the instruments. The main aim of the article is to demonstrate the potential of UAS for ABL studies in polar environments, and to provide practical advice for future research activities with similar systems

A novel helicopter-borne application for quantifying methane emissions from industrial activities: Results from measurements of coal mine ventilation shafts in Poland

The Upper Silesian Coal Basin in southern Poland is one of the strongest emitters of anthropogenic methane (CH4) in Europe. Coal mine ventilation shafts are responsible for a major part of these CH4 emissions, which were in focus of the METHANE-To-Go-Poland project presented here. For the first time, the unique helicopter towed probe HELiPOD was used to estimate CH4 mass fluxes from selected ventilation shafts based on the mass balance approach. The HELiPOD (weight 325 kg, length 5 m) was equipped with a sensor system for measuring the 3D wind vector and in situ methane analysers (Picarro G2401-m and Licor-7700) to measure CH4 with a high precision (1 ppb) and high temporal resolution (up to 40 Hz). In June and October 2022, repeated upwind and downwind probing of four selected shafts were performed within 16 flights at different horizontal distances from the source (~500 m - 5 km) and altitudes (~50 m – 2 km) to capture the inflow and horizontal/vertical dispersion of the CH4 plumes. Depending on wind speed, wind direction and atmospheric stability, suitable flight patterns were developed for every flight. Co-located mobile ground-based CH4 measurements complemented the airborne probing. In addition, two controlled CH4 releases were successfully carried out to prove the novel measurement concept. In this presentation, top-down mass flux estimates based on measurements from the two airborne CH4 instruments (with different temporal resolution) will be compared and mass flux uncertainties will be discussed with respect to the flight strategies and meteorological conditions. Depending on the surveyed shaft, the calculated CH4 mass fluxes range from 1000 to 3000 kg/h. Subsequently, the top-down mass fluxes will be compared to bottom-up mass flux calculations based on production data obtained directly from the coal mine industry. Our calculations are an example of the independent emission verification technique and will help coal, oil and gas companies as well as governments, to prioritize their CH4 emission mitigation strategies, actions and policies. This research has been funded in the framework of UNEP's International Methane Emissions Observatory

Unmanned Aerial Systems for Investigating the Polar Atmospheric Boundary Layer—Technical Challenges and Examples of Applications

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) fill a gap in high-resolution observations of meteorological parameters on small scales in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). Especially in the remote polar areas, there is a strong need for such detailed observations with different research foci. In this study, three systems are presented which have been adapted to the particular needs for operating in harsh polar environments: The fixed-wing aircraft M2AV with a mass of 6 kg, the quadrocopter ALICE with a mass of 19 kg, and the fixed-wing aircraft ALADINA with a mass of almost 25 kg. For all three systems, their particular modifications for polar operations are documented, in particular the insulation and heating requirements for low temperatures. Each system has completed meteorological observations under challenging conditions, including take-offand landing on the ice surface, low temperatures (down to-28 °C), icing, and, for the quadrocopter, under the impact of the rotor downwash. The influence on the measured parameters is addressed here in the form of numerical simulations and spectral data analysis. Furthermore, results from several case studies are discussed: With the M2AV, low-level flights above leads in Antarctic sea ice were performed to study the impact of areas of open water within ice surfaces on the ABL, and a comparison with simulations was performed. ALICE was used to study the small-scale structure and short-term variability of the ABL during a cruise of RV Polarstern to the 79° N glacier in Greenland. With ALADINA, aerosol measurements of different size classes were performed in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, in highly complex terrain. In particular, very small, freshly formed particles are difficult to monitor and require the active control of temperature inside the instruments. The main aim of the article is to demonstrate the potential of UAS for ABL studies in polar environments, and to provide practical advice for future research activities with similar systems. © 2020 by the authors

First Measurements of Methane Emissions from the Waste Sector in Oman by a Helicopter Probe

Methane (CH4) is one of the most potent greenhouse gases after carbon dioxide and the focus of worldwide initiatives to combat global warming, including the latest initiative by UNEP, the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO)

First Initiative in the Arabian Peninsula to Measure Methane Emissions from the Oil & Gas and Waste Sector by a Helicopter Probe

Within the framework of the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0), initiated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), companies in the Oil and Gas (O&G) sector have committed to monitor and to reduce their methane (CH4) emissions. Presently, more than 120 companies have joined OGMP 2.0 covering operations in 70 countries around the world, one of which is Oman. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases after carbon dioxide and the focus of worldwide initiatives to combat global warming. This includes UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), which focuses on improved data collection and delivery not only from O&G, but also from other emission sectors including waste. According to Oman’s latest Biennial Update Report, the solid waste sector is the second largest CH4 emitter behind the O&G sector and represents 15% of Oman’s CH4 emissions. However, until now, no sector-specific measurement-based studies on such emissions exist for Oman

HELiPOD - revolution and evolution of a helicopter borne measurements system for multidisciplinary research in demanding environments

The helicopter-borne measurement system HELiPOD is a platform for atmospheric and other environmental measurements to investigate local and regional phenomena. It can be operated in remote areas, as from a research vessel with a helicopter, without the need for a runway. This article presents the current design concept, technical details and sensor package of HELiPOD, which was completely renewed for the deployment during the MOSAiC (Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate) expedition across the North Polar Ocean in 2019/2020. It was updated for the deployment in the methane campaigns METHANE-To-Go-Poland to study methane emissions from coal mines in South Poland, and METHANE-To-Go-Nordstream, a follow-up campaign to study methane emissions from the Baltic Sea after the NordStream pipeline leaks in 2022. The HELiPOD has dimensions of 5.2 m x 2.1 m x 1.2 m and a weight of around 325 kg. It provides the possibility for flight patterns on a horizontal scale of typically 100 m to 100 km and at altitudes from 10 m up to 3 km. HELiPOD employs distributed data acquisition and central data synchronization, equipped with sensors relevant to five fields of research: atmospheric dynamics, trace gases, aerosols, radiation and surface properties. The focus of the article is the technical realization, in particular the data acquisition system for about 60 sensors, as well as concepts for energy supply and thermalmanagement. It describes the complementary use of different measurement principles and redundant sensors for improved data quality. Operational procedures are also discussed

Improved upper limb function in non-ambulant children with SMA type 2 and 3 during nusinersen treatment: a prospective 3-years SMArtCARE registry study

Background The development and approval of disease modifying treatments have dramatically changed disease progression in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Nusinersen was approved in Europe in 2017 for the treatment of SMA patients irrespective of age and disease severity. Most data on therapeutic efficacy are available for the infantile-onset SMA. For patients with SMA type 2 and type 3, there is still a lack of sufficient evidence and long-term experience for nusinersen treatment. Here, we report data from the SMArtCARE registry of non-ambulant children with SMA type 2 and typen 3 under nusinersen treatment with a follow-up period of up to 38 months. Methods SMArtCARE is a disease-specific registry with data on patients with SMA irrespective of age, treatment regime or disease severity. Data are collected during routine patient visits as real-world outcome data. This analysis included all non-ambulant patients with SMA type 2 or 3 below 18 years of age before initiation of treatment. Primary outcomes were changes in motor function evaluated with the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE) and the Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM). Results Data from 256 non-ambulant, pediatric patients with SMA were included in the data analysis. Improvements in motor function were more prominent in upper limb: 32.4% of patients experienced clinically meaningful improvements in RULM and 24.6% in HFMSE. 8.6% of patients gained a new motor milestone, whereas no motor milestones were lost. Only 4.3% of patients showed a clinically meaningful worsening in HFMSE and 1.2% in RULM score. Conclusion Our results demonstrate clinically meaningful improvements or stabilization of disease progression in non-ambulant, pediatric patients with SMA under nusinersen treatment. Changes were most evident in upper limb function and were observed continuously over the follow-up period. Our data confirm clinical trial data, while providing longer follow-up, an increased number of treated patients, and a wider range of age and disease severity