Measurements of volatile organic compounds in the Northern Colorado Front Range in 2023

This dataset was collected by Colorado State University (CSU) students during the spring 2023 and fall 2023 semesters as part of a course in the Department of Atmospheric Science (ATS-716: Air Quality Characterization). Measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were collected in Northern Colorado, using a low-cost sensor called SENSIT SPOD. The SENSIT SPOD sensor package combines wind field and air pollutant concentration measurements to detect emission plumes and locate the source of those emissions. The sensor measures non-speciated, uncalibrated concentrations of a subset of VOCs. The sensor also measures temperature, relative humidity, pressure, and wind direction and speed. The SPODs were used to trigger the collection of whole air samples during periods with higher concentrations of VOCs. Air samples from the triggered canisters were analyzed at CSU using Gas Chromatography (GC) to provide a measure of approximately 50 VOCs. An integrated canister was used to measure the average concentration of approximately 50 VOCs over a one-week period. After collection, sample air in the canisters was analyzed at CSU using Gas Chromatography (GC).

Methods
Measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were collected in Northern Colorado, using a low-cost sensor called SENSIT SPOD. The SENSIT SPOD sensor package combines wind field and air pollutant concentration measurements to detect emission plumes and locate the source of those emissions. The sensor measures non-speciated, uncalibrated concentrations of a subset of VOCs. The sensor also measures temperature, relative humidity, pressure, and wind direction and speed. The SPODs were used to trigger the collection of whole air samples during periods with higher concentrations of VOCs. Air samples from the triggered canisters were analyzed at CSU using Gas Chromatography (GC) to provide a measure of approximately 50 VOCs. An integrated canister was used to measure the average concentration of approximately 50 VOCs over a one-week period. After collection, sample air in the canisters was analyzed at CSU using Gas Chromatography (GC).

This dataset contains information on VOC concentration and meteorological conditions collected in the Bella Romero neighborhood (40.405, -104.659) in Greeley, CO. Measurements were taken over two periods: February 6, 2023 to May 2, 2023 (spring semester) and September 7, 2023 to December 19, 2023 (fall semester). There were no triggered canister measurements for spring 2023. The dataset includes 3 different files: 1) SPOD_PID_Data.zip; 2) Triggered_Canisters.csv; and 3) Integrated_Canisters.csv. The following provides a description of each of these files: