Texas Rural Air Monitoring Texas Rural Air Monitoring SitesSites

Sonia UribeNovember 16, 2004

• What is ozone?• Why wind is important?• Objective• Database Incorporation• Maps• Input Datasets• Time Series• Animated Maps• What is next?

OutlineOutline

What is Ozone ?What is Ozone ?

Ozone is the main component of smog. It is formed through chemical reactions between natural and man-made emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight.

Ozone levels are considered "unhealthful" and exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard when the levels exceed 125 parts per billion (ppb) 1-hour standard or 85 ppb 8-hour standard.

High ozone levels can be present when temperatures are high, sunshine is strong, and winds are weak

To reduce air pollution it is important to understand how it travels throughout the region

Ozone pollution is mainly a daytime concern during summer since warm temperatures play a role in its formation

Why wind is important?Why wind is important?

To reduce air pollution it is important to understand how it travels throughout the region.

Air Quality Field Study (TexAQS II)

is a research initiative to better understand the causes of air pollution in Texas. The objectives are to establish sites and collect approx. 18 months of data.

ObjectiveObjective

Database IncorporationDatabase IncorporationESRI Data & Maps CD

United States Map

Counties, cities, and roads

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/index.html

Houston

Dallas

Austin

Maps GenerationMaps Generation

Time Series Transfer to Arc Hydro FormatTime Series Transfer to Arc Hydro Format

Ozone Levels 8 hrs AverageOzone Levels 8 hrs Average Wind Speed 1 hr AverageWind Speed 1 hr Average

January, 2000January, 2000

Animated MapsAnimated Maps

Ozone Levels 8 hrs AverageOzone Levels 8 hrs Average Wind Speed 1 hr AverageWind Speed 1 hr Average

August, 2000August, 2000

ConclusionsConclusions

• It has been confirmed that high ozone levels are exacerbated when winds intensities are weak and under high temperature conditions

• A GIS-based tool might help develop a forecasting system for ozone levels based on surrogate parameters

• The GIS-based component will greatly enhance the 2005 TxAQS study

• Interpolate data to generate surfaces of surrogate parameters

• Find relationships between temperature, wind and ozone levels

• Support Monitoring Network Optimization

What is Next?What is Next?