Transcript Springtime Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Criteria Air Pollutants in Florida Moti L.

Springtime Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Criteria Air
Pollutants in Florida
Moti L. Mittal, Ph. D.,
Environmental & Occupational Health
University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
&
Noreen D. Poor, Ph.D., PE
Chastin-Skillman, Inc.
Lakeland, Florida
A Presentation at the 60th Florida Environmental Health Association, Inc.
August 11 – 15, 2008
PGA National Resort and Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Model
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WRFCHEM model
A 124 X 91 horizontal grid with 10 km resolution
28 vertical levels
EPA NEI99-version 3 Emission Inventory
31 ,89
41 speciated VOC compounds
7 primary and 5 secondary
species
o
o
24o,89o
31o,78o
24o,78o
Measurement Sites
Gandy Bridge
Azalea Park
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Primary Standards
Pollutants
Level
Averaging Time
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
9 ppm (10 mg/m3)
35 ppm (40 mg/m3)
8-hour
1-hour
*Lead (Pb)
1.5 ug/m3
Quarterly Average
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
0.053 ppm
(100 ug/m3)
Annual (Arithmetic Mean)
Particulate matter
(PM2.5)
15 ug/m3
Annual (Arithmetic Mean)
Particulate matter (PM10)
150 ug/m3
24-hour
Ozone (O3)
0.075 ppm
8-hour
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
0.03 ppm
0.14 ppm
Annual (Arithmetic Mean)
24-hour
*Not modeled
People Affected by Pollutants
National Statistics, USEPA
Diurnal Variation
CO concentration at USMC Gandy Bridge site in April, 2006
600
CO (Model)
550
CO (PPBV)
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
0
4
8
12
Time (EST)
16
20
24
Diurnal Variation
SO2 concentration at USMC Gandy Bridge site in April, 2006
10
Measurement
Model
SO2 (ppbv)
8
6
4
2
0
0
4
8
12
Time (EST)
16
20
24
Diurnal Variation
NOx concentration at USMC Gandy Bridge site in April, 2006
50
Measurements
Model
NOx (ppbv)
40
30
20
10
0
0
4
8
12
Time (EST)
16
20
24
Diurnal Variation
O3 concentration at USMC Gandy Bridge site in April, 2006
60
Measurements
Model
O3 (ppbv)
50
40
30
20
0
4
8
12
Time (EST)
16
20
24
Diurnal Variation
PM2.5 at USMC Gandy bridge Site in April, 2006
15
3
PM2.5 (ug/m )
Measurement
Model
10
5
0
4
8
12
Time (EST)
16
20
24
Diurnal Variation
O3 concentration at Azalea Park in April, 2006
60
Measurements
Model
O3 (ppbv)
50
40
30
20
0
4
8
12
Time (EST)
16
20
24
Diurnal Variation
PM2.5 at Azalea Park in April, 2006
25
Measurement
Model
3
PM2.5 (ug/m )
20
15
10
5
0
4
8
12
Time (EST)
16
20
24
Summary
• Concentrations of secondary pollutants - ozone (O3) and fine
particles (PM2.5) - as calculated from the model is in reasonable
agreement with measurements as seen at Azalea Park and Gandy
Bridge.
• Primary pollutants show poor agreement that likely results from site
specific characteristics (micrometeorology, plume impacts, nearby
sources).
• General characteristics of the diurnal variation of the pollutants are
correct. Both NOx and CO show build up during morning hours and
late evening. In order to sustain high levels of O3 during after noon
period, large amount of precursors are needed. CO and NOX get
depleted by OH chemistry e.g., NO2 + OH HNO3
• SO2 emissions have declined significantly since 1999. Shape of
measurement concentrations looks like power plant hourly
emissions. Model uses yearly average emissions.
• Model does not resolve the very shallow surface layers that may
form at night, and so is unable to resolve the nighttime chemistry.
Contour Plot
Tampa
Contour Plot
Contour Plot
Contour Plot
Contour Plot
Contour Plot
Contour Plot
Contour Plots
Contour Plot
Summary
• Spatial analysis shows that for the 1999 emission
inventory, PM2.5, O3, and possibly NOx approaching
NAAQS at some locations.
• Monitors are mostly placed in areas with high density
population. Concentrations are also needed in other
areas as the pollutants also affect the plant and animal
health.
Human and Environmental Health
Effects of Air Pollutants
• Human Health Effects:
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Chronic bronchitis
Pulmonary emphysema
Bronchial asthma
Lung cancer
Asbestosis or silicosis
Pneumonia
Heart attack
Hypoxia
Neurological disorder
Death
• Environmental Effects:
– Damage to plants and
materials
– Destruction of forests
– Degradation of water
bodies
– Bioaccumulation of toxins
– Reduction of stratospheric
ozone
– Weather modification and
climate change
Air Pollutants and Asthma
PM2.5 and O3 can trigger or exacerbate asthma
• Almost nine million people under the age of 18
and 6.1 million children had active asthma
• There were more than 25,000 hospitalizations
due to asthma related illness in 2002 in Florida
• As of 2000, there were more than 25,000
children in Hillsborough County with asthma.
Harmful effects
Conclusions
• Modeling predicts air pollutant levels that are harmful
to human and environmental health.
• Modeling studies are needed in Florida to improve our
understanding of spatial gradients of O3, PM2.5, and
NOx concentrations.
• Studies are also needed to give futuristic estimates of
the pollutants in Florida and adaptation strategies.
• We can apply air quality modeling to develop
strategies to reduce the economic and health impacts
of these pollutants.
Acknowledgements
• Research Computing, University of South
Florida for the use of their services
• Environmental Protection Commission of
Hillsborough County and Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
for air pollutant measurement data