Practical validation of unmodified handheld monitors for UAV-based air quality measurements

To evaluate the reliability of measurements taken onboard Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), this study assesses the impacts of movement and turbulence on carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) measurements in the field. While previous research has explored the use of UAVs for air quality monitoring, questions remain regarding the potential influence of UAV-induced turbulence on sensor readings, particularly when using sensors that are not specifically designed for airborne operation. This study addresses this knowledge gap by collecting observations using an Aeroqual Series 500 monitor mounted onboard a hexacopter UAV, in the presence of UAV movement, downwash, and turbulence. Observations were evaluated for agreement with identical sensors collecting simultaneous measurements at ground level. Results demonstrate UAV movement does not significantly affect the sensor’s ability to capture reliable CO 2 measurements. Downwash and turbulence induced by UAV rotors can lead to significant reductions in observed CO 2 concentrations; however, changes remain within the sensor’s factory calibration accuracy suggesting UAV-based can be used for reliable measurements, particularly in ambient conditions. This study contributes to the validation of UAV-based monitoring and provides insight into the scope and limitations for using commercially available solutions for air quality research. • Study assessed the impact of UAV movement, downwash, and turbulence on the onboard measurements of CO 2 concentrations by an unmodified handheld sensor. • UAV movement did not cause significant difference in CO 2 readings, suggesting onboard sensor operation is not affected by UAV maneuvers. • Downwash and turbulence caused significant reductions in the observation of CO 2 from a vehicle exhaust during flight. • Despite observed reductions, overall change in CO 2 observations remain within the sensor’s factory calibration accuracy, indicating potential for reliable field measurements of air quality.