Tara Murphy

Biography

I am a PhD student based in Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories (WACL). I previously completed my undergraduate degree in Environmental Science in Trinity College Dublin, and my Masters in Environmental Analytical Chemistry in University College Cork. As part of my masters I completed a six-month internship as an analytical development chemist in Thermo Fisher Scientific. Before starting my PhD, I spent a year working in with T.E. Laboratories, as a laboratory analyst. In my free time, I enjoy archery and playing music.

Qualifications

Bachelors in Environmental Science and Masters in Environmental Analytical Chemistry.

Research interests

Atmospheric chemistry.

Project title

Trace Halogenated Organics Analyser and Archiver (THOr).

Supervisors

Funding

NCAS.

Project outline

The aim of my project is to develop and commission a GC-ToFMS system for the quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The system, which will be mounted on the FAAM research aircraft, will allow for high frequency sampling and rapid analysis with near-real-time quantification of analytes.

The term volatile organic compounds refers to a wide range of chemicals which exist as trace gases in the atmosphere. Despite having different structures, these compounds undergo many similar mechanisms. Of most interest are their roles as precursors to secondary organic aerosols and in ozone production in the troposphere. Mitigation of these secondary pollutants requires an understanding of their precursors, including sources, sinks, and mechanisms of action. The high time resolution offered by the THOr system will vastly increase current understanding of these factors, and will also create a historical archive of pollutants and their distribution.