FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR QUALITY
Apr 01, 2015
Sahara Dust Transport to North America, July
• In July (1998) elevated levels of absorbing aerosol (Sahara Dust) reaches the Gulf of Mexico and evidently, enters the continent .
• High TOMS dust levels are seen along the US-Mexican borders, reaching New Mexico. Higher levels also cover the Caribbean Islands and S. Florida.
• Another patch of absorbing aerosol (local dust?) is seen over the Colorado Plateau, well separated from the Sahara dust.
Sahara Dust Plume
Sahara Dust Plume
“…conserve [natural and cultural resources]…as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” (NPS Organic Act)
“Wilderness areas…shall be administered…in such a manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness…” (Wilderness Act of 1964)
“…preserve, protect and enhance the air quality in national parks, national wilderness areas, national monuments, national seashores…” (Clean Air Act as amended in 1977)
“In cases of doubt the land manager should err on the side of protecting the air quality-related values for future generations.” (Senate Report No. 95-127, 95th Congress, 1977)
Preserve and Protect
[Rocky Mountain NP should be managed for] “…preservation of the natural conditions and the scenic beauties thereof.” (1915 park enabling legislation)
Nitrogen Ozone
Water Carbon Dioxide
Some Important Molecules
AmmoniaAmmonium
Sulfur DioxideSulfate
Nitrogen Dioxide Nitrate
PRIMARY SECONDARY
Sulfur Dioxide
Sulfate
Ammonia
Ammonium
Ammonium Sulfate Particle
+ Water
Dicarboxylic Acid (Adipic acid)
PentaneMethane
Organic Molecules
AGENT ORANGE
DDT Dieldrin
oxon · Paraoxon · TCPyMetabolites
acetamiprid · amitraz · azadirachtin · chlorfenapyr · clothianidin · cyromazine · fenoxycarb · fenvalerate · fipronil · hydramethylnon · imidacloprid · limonene ·
lufenuron · nitenpyram · nithiazine · pyriproxyfen · sesamex · spinosad · tebufenpyrad · thiacloprid · thiamethoxam · veracevine · xanthone
Other
allethrin · bifenthrin · cyhalothrin · cypermethrin · cyfluthrin · deltamethrin · etofenprox · lambda-cyhalothrin · permethrin · phenothrin · prallethrin · pyrethrin ·
pyrethrum · resmethrin · tetramethrin · tralomethrin · transfluthrinPyrethroids
Acephate · azinphos-methyl · bensulide · chlorethoxyfos · chlorfenvinphos · chlorpyrifos · chlorpyrifos-methyl · coumaphos · demeton-S-methyl · diazinon ·
dicrotophos · diisopropyl fluorophosphate · dimethoate · dioxathion · disulfoton · ethion · ethoprop · fenamiphos · fenitrothion · fenthion · fosthiazate · isoxathion ·
malathion · methamidophos · methidathion · mevinphos · monocrotophos · naled · omethoate · oxydemeton-methyl · parathion · parathion-methyl · phorate ·
phosalone · phosmet · phostebupirim · phoxim · pirimiphos-methyl · temefos · terbufos · tetrachlorvinphos · tribufos · trichlorfon
Organophosphorus
aldrin · beta-HCH · carbon tetrachloride · chlordane · cyclodiene · 1,2-DCB · 1,4-DCB · 1,1-DCE · 1,2-DCE · DDD · DDE · DDT · dicofol · dieldrin · endosulfan ·
endrin · heptachlor · kepone · lindane · methoxychlor · mirex · tetradifon · toxapheneOrganochlorides
aluminium phosphide · boric acid · chromated copper arsenate · copper arsenate · copper cyanide · diatomaceous earth · lead
hydrogen arsenate · Paris Green · Scheele's Green
Inorganic compounds
aldicarb · bendiocarb · carbaryl · carbofuran · ethienocarb · fenoxycarb · fenobucarb · propoxur
Carbamates
TOXICS
Compound Anthropogenic Naturally Occurring
SO2 Fossil-Fuel Combustion (primarily coal fired power plants)Smelting – Biomass burning
Volcanoes (10%)
NOx Fossil-Fuel Combustion (power plants- mobile sources-oil and gas) Fertilizer, Biomass burning
Soil ReleaseLightning (21%)
NH3 Feedlots - Fertilizer Wild animals – ecosystem respiration
VOC Transportation (mobile sources) Oil and Gas
Vegetation
Sources of Primary Gases Important to Secondary Particle
Formation
Sources of Primary Particles
Anthropogenic• Wind Blown Dust
Roads, Over Grazing, Farming practices, Mining
• Biomass BurningLand Clearing Practices
• Emissions from fossil fuel combustionFly Ash Condensation of Hot Vapors
Naturally Occurring• Wind Blown Dust
Deserts
• Volcanoes• Fires• Plant Particles
(pollen)
• Sea Salt Spray(NaCl)