ozone bio-monitoring gardens

National Park Service US Forest Service

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in AmericaOzone Bio-monitoring Ozone Bio-monitoring

GardensGardens

Using students to monitor the effects of ground level ozone on select plant species


Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in America



What is Ozone?What is Ozone? Ozone occurs naturally in the Ozone occurs naturally in the

atmosphere where it protects atmosphere where it protects our planet from the sun’s our planet from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and us ultraviolet radiation and us from cancer.from cancer.

Ground level or “bad” ozone Ground level or “bad” ozone is an invisible gas and a is an invisible gas and a poisonous form of oxygen.poisonous form of oxygen.

In the Southern Appalachian In the Southern Appalachian mountains, 85% of the VOC’s mountains, 85% of the VOC’s come from natural sources.come from natural sources.



Sources of Ground Level OzoneSources of Ground Level OzoneMobile sources are:Mobile sources are:

– 33% Diesel33% Diesel– 30% SUV30% SUV– 21% cars21% cars– 13% LD trucks13% LD trucks– 3% HD trucks3% HD trucks PointPoint

44%44%

MobileMobile32%32%

NonroadNonroad23%23%

AreaArea2%2%



Irritates and damages lung tissueIrritates and damages lung tissue Decreases lung functionDecreases lung function

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Age (Years)

Not Polluted Polluted

% L

ung F

uncti

on

Threshold of adequate lung function



IMPACT OF OZONE ON HEALTHIMPACT OF OZONE ON HEALTH Worsens existing asthma Worsens existing asthma Causes new asthmaCauses new asthma Worsens allergy symptomsWorsens allergy symptoms Increases respiratory infection Increases respiratory infection

ratesrates Increases overall death ratesIncreases overall death rates



Green:Green: No health warningNo health warningYellow:Yellow: Very sensitive people Very sensitive people

may be affectedmay be affected

Orange:Orange: LimitLimit afternoon afternoon exertion if you are a member exertion if you are a member of a sensitive groupof a sensitive group

Red:Red: AvoidAvoid afternoon exertion afternoon exertion if you are in a sensitive group; if you are in a sensitive group; EVERYONE ELSE should EVERYONE ELSE should limitlimit afternoon exertion afternoon exertion

Purple:Purple: Reduce time and level of Reduce time and level of exertion even more then red exertion even more then red categorycategory

Source: North Carolina Division of Air Quality (July 2001)Source: North Carolina Division of Air Quality (July 2001)


Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cradle of Forestry in AmericaChanging Ozone Changing Ozone

ConcentrationsConcentrations

http://www.epa.gov/airnow/http://www.epa.gov/airnow/



Clean Air ActClean Air Act 1997 version reduced ambient 1997 version reduced ambient

(outside) ozone from 0.12 to 0.8 (outside) ozone from 0.12 to 0.8 ppm.ppm.

On the color chart, greater than On the color chart, greater than 0.80 ppm is code orange-- “Ozone 0.80 ppm is code orange-- “Ozone Action Day” a day when people Action Day” a day when people should limit outdoor activity, esp. should limit outdoor activity, esp. in afternoonin afternoon



The The IssueIssue

Great Smoky Mountains NP receives Great Smoky Mountains NP receives more NOx and SOx then any other more NOx and SOx then any other monitored site in North America.monitored site in North America.

Average acidity (pH) of rainfall in Average acidity (pH) of rainfall in the park is 4.5, worse in higher the park is 4.5, worse in higher elevations.elevations.

Average visibility in summer Average visibility in summer months is just 9 miles.months is just 9 miles.



Some Research in the SmokiesSome Research in the Smokies 1988 chamber study1988 chamber study 2001 to present: ground-level ozone 2001 to present: ground-level ozone

effects study looking at how effects study looking at how symptoms effect:symptoms effect:– photosynthesisphotosynthesis– respirationrespiration– growth growth

Effects on nutritional value for Effects on nutritional value for grazersgrazers



Visible Ozone Visible Ozone EffectsEffects

DiscolorationDiscoloration In early stages, symptoms are In early stages, symptoms are

confined to the upper leaf confined to the upper leaf surface.surface.

Symptoms begin with older Symptoms begin with older leaves.leaves.

The discoloration is between the The discoloration is between the veinsveins

Uninjured Milkweed

Injured Milkweed



Ozone Bio-monitoring GardensOzone Bio-monitoring Gardens Two sensitive species may be Two sensitive species may be

used to establish gardensused to establish gardens Genetic clones Genetic clones Comparisons made between Comparisons made between

gardens regarding rate of gardens regarding rate of symptomssymptoms

Crown-beardVerbesina Occidentalis

Cut-leaf Coneflower Rudbeckia laciniata



Garden Data CollectionGarden Data Collection Measure the plantMeasure the plant Record total number Record total number

of leaves.of leaves. Record whether in Record whether in

bud or flower.bud or flower. Estimate the % of Estimate the % of

visible symptoms on visible symptoms on the bottom 8 leaves.the bottom 8 leaves.

Note any other Note any other observations such as observations such as insect damage, leaf insect damage, leaf mold...mold...

StipplingStippling

NecrosisNecrosis ChlorosisChlorosis



Garden LocationsGarden LocationsNorth CarolinaNorth CarolinaEducation CentersEducation Centers Appalachian Highlands Science LC in GRSMAppalachian Highlands Science LC in GRSM Cradle of Forestry in America, BrevardCradle of Forestry in America, Brevard Pisgah Wildlife Center, BrevardPisgah Wildlife Center, Brevard WNC Arboretum, AshevilleWNC Arboretum, Asheville WNC Nature Center, AshevilleWNC Nature Center, Asheville Bullington Center, HendersonvilleBullington Center, Hendersonville Office of Environmental Education, RaleighOffice of Environmental Education, RaleighSchoolsSchools High Schools – Asheville, TC Roberson, Page High Schools – Asheville, TC Roberson, Page

(Charlotte), Tuscola, Robbinsville, Hiwasee Dam(Charlotte), Tuscola, Robbinsville, Hiwasee Dam Elementary/Middle Schools – Clyde, Fairview, Jonathan Elementary/Middle Schools – Clyde, Fairview, Jonathan

Valley, Andrews, E. McDowell Jr.Valley, Andrews, E. McDowell Jr.

TennesseeTennessee Great Smoky Mountains Institute at TremontGreat Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Twin Creeks in GRSMTwin Creeks in GRSM Central MS &HS in Monroe County in partnership with Central MS &HS in Monroe County in partnership with

Obed Wild & Scenic RiverObed Wild & Scenic River South Park Elem., Jackson Christian, Sevier Co. HSSouth Park Elem., Jackson Christian, Sevier Co. HS Upcoming: Oneida HS in conjunction with Big South Upcoming: Oneida HS in conjunction with Big South

Fork NRRAFork NRRA

ozone bio-monitoring gardens

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