Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Purdue University received a $541,495 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Integrative Activities under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050), awarded July 1, 2026, with a completion date of June 30, 2029. This collaborative research initiative will deliver direct atmospheric measurements and advanced chemical analysis quantifying volatile organic compound (VOC) fluxes and aerosol formation over agricultural ecosystems in Indiana. The primary deliverables include: (1) speciation, directional analysis, and quantification of VOC emissions across croplands and livestock facilities using factor analysis and machine learning techniques; (2) characterization of physical and chemical properties of submicron particulate matter and identification of their formation processes; and (3) enhanced chemical transport model representations of farmland atmospheric environments informed by field observations.

The research will generate novel datasets on farmland-atmosphere interactions and produce mechanistic understanding of how agricultural operations contribute to atmospheric ozone and aerosol production—pollutants with direct implications for crop yields and air quality. The project emphasizes significant student involvement and coordination with federal agency partners to expand research impact. By producing the first direct VOC flux measurements over livestock operations and multiple crop types, this award advances fundamental knowledge in agricultural atmospheric chemistry and supports evidence-based environmental and public health policy development for agricultural regions that now comprise nearly half of U.S. land area.