Browsing by Subject "Air quality"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 21
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    Air quality human health impact assessment: modeling and applications for environmental policy
    (2020-05) Thakrar, Sumil
    Exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) is the largest environmental risk factor for death in the United States and globally. Reducing these deaths is facilitated by better understanding how specific emissions sources affect PM2.5 concentrations, but traditional methods for doing so are computationally demanding and resource intensive. In this presentation, I describe my dissertation research into air quality-related human health impacts through the development and use of reduced complexity models (RCMs) that rapidly estimate changes in PM2.5 concentrations and associated deaths. For my first chapter, I use an RCM (InMAP) to estimate the potential air quality-related human health impacts of growing switchgrass, an important bioenergy feedstock. I find that life cycle air quality-related health impacts of switchgrass production vary greatly by location and fertilizer type, and are driven primarily by ammonia emissions from fertilizer application. For my second chapter, I use InMAP and two other RCMs to estimate the air quality impacts of all domestic, human-caused emissions in the United States to identify promising targets for reducing air quality-related deaths. I find that half of the deaths are attributable to 5 human activities, all in different sectors. Promising policy decisions for reducing the deaths include targets of historical focus, such as coal-powered electricity generation, and emerging targets, such as agricultural emissions and residential solvent use. For my third chapter, I describe the development of an open source RCM (Global InMAP) for use on a global spatial domain. I generate global chemical and meteorological inputs to parametrize Global InMAP, configure its computational grid, and run InMAP on a global emissions inventory to demonstrate its use. Overall, its performance against ground observations is comparable to current global models, but at greatly reduced computational intensity. Global InMAP can be used to further inform policy decisions for reducing air quality-related deaths worldwide.
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    The impact of residential growth patterns on vehicle travel and pollutant emissions
    (Journal of Transport and Land Use, 2011) Niemeier, Deb; Bai, Song; Handy, Susan
    In light of the increasing reliance on compact growth as a fundamental strategy for reducing vehicle emissions, it is important to better understand how land use-transportation interactions influence the production of mobile source emissions. To date, research findings have produced mixed conclusions as to whether compact development as a strategy for accommodating urban growth significantly reduces vehicle travel and, by extension, mitigates environmental impacts, particularly in the area of air quality. Using an integrated simulation approach coupled with long-term land development scenarios, we conducted an assessment of the impacts of different long-term primarily residential growth patterns on vehicle travel and pollutant emissions in the eight counties of the San Joaquin Valley region in central California. The results suggest that higher residential densities result in slightly decreased regional vehicle travel and emissions. Our comparative analysis also suggests that the effects of future land use growth patterns may vary among different spatial areas. That is, compact growth strategies can result in significantly more travel and emissions changes in already fairly urbanized counties. This work indicates a minimum density threshold of approximately 1500 households per square mile is necessary to achieve commensurate emissions reductions relative to existing densities.
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    Lichens and air quality in Caney Creek and Upper Buffalo River Wilderness areas: Final report
    (2001-04) Wetmore, Clifford M.
    This study of the lichens of Caney Creek and Upper Buffalo River Wilderness areas was designed 1) to collect lichens for lichen species lists, 2) to collect lichens for elemental analysis, 3) to study the health of species most sensitive to air pollution, and 4) to assess the effects of air quality on lichens. Each area is treated in a separate section of this report. Sixteen localities were studied in Caney Creek and eleven localities in Upper Buffalo River. The purchase order also included a restudy of elemental analysis of Hercules Glades in the Mark Twain National Forest. Samples of one species was also collected at localities in each area for elemental analysis. The elemental analysis section is treated in a separate report (Bennett & Wetmore 2001). The lichen floras are quite diverse for each area. There were 129 species present in Caney Creek and 132 species present in Upper Buffalo River. All of the lichens found were in good health and with normal fertility. The lichens studied by elemental analysis (Bennett & Wetmore 2001) showed elemental levels comparable to other clean areas. There seemed to be no indications of threatening air quality problems (primarily from sulfur dioxide) in these wilderness areas. Recommendations are for periodic (5 year) restudy of the lichens by elemental analysis. A complete lichen restudy of the lichen flora should be done every 10-15 years.
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    Lichens and air quality in Chequamegon National Forest Rainbow Lake Wilderness Area: Final report
    (1993-10) Wetmore, Clifford M.
    This study of the lichens of Rainbow Lake Wilderness was designed 1) to collect lichens for a lichen species list, 2) to collect lichens for elemental analysis, 3) to study the health and distributions of species most sensitive to air pollution, and 4) to assess the effects of air quality on lichens. Twenty seven localities were studied throughout the wilderness. Samples of three species were collected at three localities and one species was collected at one locality for elemental analysis. The lichen flora is quite diverse. There were 190 species present including seven species very sensitive to sulfur dioxide. The distributions of these sensitive species do not show patterns that would suggest directional air quality problems. All of the lichens found were in good health and with normal fertility. The lichens studied by elemental analysis show levels of all elements comparable to other clean areas. ANOVA and pairwise comparisons of the elemental data showed somewhat higher element levels at the northern edge of the RLW and no singificant differences between the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and RWL. Therefore , there seem to be no indications of air quality problems (mainly sulfur dioxide) in the wilderness. Recommendations are for periodic (5 year) restudy of the lichens by elemental analysis. A complete lichen restudy of the lichen flora should be done every 10-15 years. If construction or maintenance activities are planned within the wilderness, a lichenologist should be consulted to prevent loss of species.
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    Lichens and air quality in Grand Portage National Monument: Final Report.
    (1992-10) Wetmore, Clifford M.
    This study of the lichens of Grand Portage National Monument was designed to collect lichens for a lichen flora and for elemental analysis, to study the health and distributions of species most sensitive to air pollution, and to assess the air quality on the lichens. Six localities were studied, both near the shore of Lake Superior and on the Pigeon River. Samples of four species were collected and analyzed for element accumulations. The lichen flora was quite diverse for so small an area. There were 183 taxa of lichens present and numerous species very sensitive to sulfur dioxide. The distributions of the most sensitive species did not show patterns that would suggest air quality problems. The lichens studied by elemental analysis showed, in most cases, normal accumulations. The reason for the higher magnesium in three species at Fort Charlotte is unknown but the slightly elevated lead levels at Mt. Rose may be due to automobile traffic. Therefore, there seem to be no indications of air quality problems in the park now. Recommendations are for annual elemental analysis of lichens to detect any changes due to the reactivation of the power plant at Schroeder. A complete restudy of the lichen flora should be done every 3-5 years.
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    Lichens and air quality in Hercules Glades Wilderness of Mark Twain National Forest: Final Report.
    (1992-06) Wetmore, Clifford M.
    This study of the lichens of Hercules Glades Wilderness was designed 1) to collect lichens for a lichen flora census, 2) to collect lichens for elemental analysis, 3) to study the health and distributions of species most sensitive to air pollution, and 4) to assess the effects of air quality on lichens. Seventeen localities were studied throughout the wilderness. Samples of two species were collected at five localities for elemental analysis. The lichen flora is quite diverse. There were 179 species present and several species very sensitive to sulfur dioxide. The distributions of these sensitive species do not show patterns that would suggest air quality problems. All of the lichens found were in good health and with normal fertility. The lichens studied by elemental analysis show normal levels of all elements with the possible exception of levels of manganese at Coy Bald. Therefore, there seem to be no indications of air quality problems in the wilderness. Recommendations are for periodic (5 years} restudy of the lichens by elemental analysis. A complete lichen restudy of the lichen flora should be done every 10-15 years. If extensive manipulation of the vegetation of the balds is planned, a lichenologist should be consulted to prevent loss of species that grow only in the balds.
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    Lichens and air quality in Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge: Final report
    (1991-06) Wetmore, Clifford M.
    This project on lichens and air quality in Okefenokee Refuge (NWR) was designed as a base line study of the air quality as determined by the lichens. Field work was done during November and December, 1989, when 1833 collections were made at 34 localities throughout the Okefenokee NWR in Georgia. Localities for collecting were selected to give a general coverage of the refuge and to adequately represent the total lichen flora of the refuge. Undisturbed as well as disturbed habitats were studied. While collecting at each locality, observations were made about the general health of the lichens. At some localities additional material of selected species was collected for chemical analysis. This list of species presents the first thorough listing of lichens from Okefenokee and includes 186 taxa. The lichen flora is quite diverse, with many species known from Florida and further south being present. The pondcypress trees are usually covered with Parmelia and Usnea species in addition to numerous crustose lichens. Most of the brush is covered with foliose and crustose lichens. There seems to be no obvious impoverishment of the lichen flora in any part of the the refuge. However, because there are no historical records from the refuge, there is no way to be sure some species have not already been lost. There are only a few species in the refuge that are known to be very sensitive to sulfur dioxide, but two of these are quite common in Okefenokee. The maps of the distributions of the more sensitive species do not show any significant voids that are not due to normal ecological conditions. There is no evidence of damaged or dead lichens in any area where healthy ones are not also present. The most sensitive lichen indicator technique is elemental analysis. The elemental analyses show normal levels of sulfur and other elements in the lichens and in spanish moss at all localities where they were collected. It is recommended that when new or expanded pollution sources occur near the refuge a partial restudy be done. New lichen samples should be analyzed periodically (every 5-7 years), or when additional pollution is suspected. A total restudy should be done every 10-15 years to detect any changes in the lichen flora due to air quality or climatic changes.
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    Lichens and air quality in St. Croix National Scenic Riverway: Final Report.
    (1991-06) Wetmore, Clifford M.
    This study was to evaluate the lichen flora of St. Croix National Riverway (SACN) with respect to the air quality. Part of SACN is along the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin and the headwaters are entirely within Wisconsin. Parts of the lower SACN are downwind and near several pollution sources, including the metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Lichens are good indicators of air quality and this project uses lichens as air quality indicators. Field work was done in 1988 and 1990 when 2327 collections were made at 77 localities. At some localities additional material of Parmelia rudecta was collected for chemical analysis. While collecting at each locality observations were made about the general health of the lichens. The species list includes 265 species collected for this study and an additional 20 species reported by Fink but not found by me. There were 72 species collected only once in the study. This large number of rare species is probably due to the long length of the park. There were 18 species species with a distinctly northern distribution (from Grantsburg north). Another group of 16 species were found from just south of Taylors Falls north to the upper end of the park. A group of 10 species had a southern distribution extending from about Taylors Falls south to Prescott. There were also a number of species found only on the basaltic rocks around Taylors Falls. Most of the species were found the whole length of the park in suitable habitats. Some lichens were found in this study that are of special significance. Parmelia stuppea, a species on the Minnesota Threatened & Endangered list, was thought to have been eliminated from the region but was found in Minnesota at the locality four miles south of Taylors Falls. This is the first modern record for this species in Minnesota. Sticta weigelei, another rare species was found at Norway Point Landing in the cedar swamp. This species was previously known from northern Minnesota and is probably a new record for Wisconsin. Parmelia rudecta was collected at ten localities for elemental analysis. The sulfur levels range from 620 ppm to 1580 ppm for all samples with the higher levels at the southern end of the park and also at Namekagon Dam (at the most northern end). There are no known sulfur sources near the northern end of the park and no explanation is available for this high sulfur level. The higher levels of sulfur at the southern end (Hudson to Kinnickinnic SP) might be due to industrial activity around Minneapolis/St. Paul or the King Power plant near Hudson. From Taylors Falls north sulfur levels are normal and there are no obvious trends.
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    Lichens and air quality in Three Prairie Parks, Effigy Mounds National Monument-Iowa, Homestead National Monument-Nebraska, Wilson's Creek National Battlefield-Missouri: Final Report.
    (1997-06) Wetmore, Clifford M.; Bennett, James P.
    This study of the lichens of three prairie parks being studied by the National Park Service was designed 1) to collect lichens for lichen species lists, 2) to collect lichens for elemental analysis, 3) to study the health and distributions of species most sensitive to air pollution, and 4) to assess the effects of air quality on lichens. The parks were Effigy Mounds National Monument (EFMO), Homestead National Monument (HOME), and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield (WICR). Each park is treated in a separate section of this report. Eleven localities were studied in EFMO, three localities in HOME, and 10 localities in WI CR. Samples of two species were also collected at localities in each park for elemental analysis. The lichen floras are reasonably diverse for each area. There were 79 species present in EFMO, 19 species present in HOME, and 88 species present in WICR. Two undescribed new species were found in WICR and one additional new species in EFMO. All of the lichens found were in good health and with normal fertility. The lichens studied by elemental analysis showed elevated levels of soil contamination and some elevation of anthropogenic elements in HOME but all elements in EFMO and WICR were comparable to other clean areas. There seemed to be no indications of threatening air quality problems (primarily from sulfur dioxide) in these parks. Recommendations are for periodic (5 year) restudy of the lichens by elemental analysis. A complete lichen restudy of the lichen flora should be done every 10-15 years. The localities where undescribed species were found should receive protection. If construction or maintenance activities are planned within these areas a lichenologist should be consulted to prevent loss of species.
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    Linking urban transport and land use in developing countries
    (Journal of Transport and Land Use, 2013) Cervero, Robert
    The mobility challenges of the developing world are considerably different than those in wealthier, advanced countries, and so are the challenges of coordinating transportation and land use. Rapid population growth, poverty and income disparities, overcrowded urban cores, poorly designed road networks, spatial mismatches between housing and jobs, deteriorating environmental conditions, and economic losses from extreme traffic by congestion are among the more vexing challenges faced by developing cities that could be assuaged through improved coordination of transportation and urban development. This is underscored by examples reviewed in this paper from South Asia, Southeast Asia, China, India, Africa, and South America. It is concluded that whatever is done to improve transportation and land-use integration must be pro-poor. The cardinal features of integrated and sustainable transport and urbanism everywhere---accessible urban activities and safe, attractive walking and cycling environs---are particularly vital to the welfare and prosperity of urbanites in the world's poorest countries.