====== Carbon Dioxide Balloon-borne Observations ======


__Background__:
Plants are essential for thriving in rural areas, especially for agricultural purposes. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that warms the planet through its ability to hold onto radiation in the atmosphere, which can remain in the atmosphere for centuries.

Plants use carbon dioxide as a way of survival as it pulls down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to support their growth, as it is used to create their sugar.

New technology called "Direct air capture" allows for carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere by bringing in carbon dioxide air, capturing it, and sending it below ground for storage, instead of fully relying on plants to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. As a result, the air is released from the direct air capture system. Concerns from the public arise for farmers as the implementation of this technology might cause a lack of plant growth since carbon dioxide is needed for plant growth and energy.      

__Trends of CO<sub>2</sub>__: According to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a study was conducted in Mauna Loa to construct Atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> throughout the years. The graph from these studies shows the increase in atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> closer to the present year. While there are seasonal fluctuations with Atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> levels due to farming and other activities, the trend of CO<sub>2</sub> increasing yearly. After 2020, Atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> rises over 420 ppm (parts per million). This is important as CO<sub>2</sub> can continue to warm our planet.





__SGP 30: CO<sub>2</sub>__: Measures total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and equivalent CO<sub>2</sub>

How does it work?
1) Uses metal-oxide technology to detect gases like ethanol, hydrogen, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
2) Sensor uses these readings to estimate what the CO<sub>2</sub> level might be if humans were the only source of VOCs in the room.

Limitations: The SGP 30: CO<sub>2</sub> Sensor is an indirect measurement of CO<sub>2</sub>. This results in a "ball park" guess, which is not an exact measurement. Moreover, this is a consideration of whether humans were the only source of VOCs which different other sources can also emit VOCs.

__NDIR CO<sub>2</sub> Sensor__: Sensor consisted of several components to take CO<sub>2</sub> measurements. They use an infrared (IR) lamp to direct waves of light through a tube filled with the sample air. The air then moves towards the optical filter in front of an IR light detector. The IR light detector measures the amount of IR light that passes through the optical filter.

__Sensors to consider for use__:
1) Adafruit MCP9808 QT: Temperature sensor. This sensor gives a high accurate temperature readings as stated on adafruit website the typical accuracy is +/-0.25 Celsius. This to addition to a carbon dioxide sensor could help develop the question and possible answers to how the concentration of carbon dioxide might affect temperature change at different levels of the lower atmosphere. 
2) HTU21DF: Humidity & Temperature sensor. This sensor takes measurements of humidity and temperature 
3) SHT31: Temperature & Humidity sensor. According to adafruit website, this sensor is more accurate with measurements with an accuracy range of +/-0.25 Celsius. 
4) SGP30: MOX Gas Sensor. This sensor would take measurements of eCO<sub>2</sub>, which is an indirect measurement of carbon dioxide, as it is an estimated guess of carbon dioxide.

__Ballon considerations__: Changes in temperature in the higher levels of the atmosphere (Radiative cooling), landing (parachute), weight limits (6-12 pounds), wind movement, battery (if it can run as long as needed), method of data trasnmitting (how will we recieve the data), and radiation (could cause overheating).






===== History ====
  * Liz Cardoza worked on project during 2024 Summer REU, see [[http://www.openscienceassociates.com/delene/Cardoza_REU2024_Poster.pdf|REU Poster]]