Acid Rain Collection, Measurement, and Source

Attribution Using Trajectory Models

Winterim 2015Air Pollution and Ancient Cultures

Mexico short-term study abroad courseProf. Jon Kahl

https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/kahl/Mexico_Air_Pollution_Ancient_Cultures_course/Acid%20rain%20collection%2C%20measurement%20and%20source%20attribution%20using%20trajectory%20models%20-%202015 - HANDOUTS.pdf

The assignment

The assignment, continued

Rainfall collectionBest Adequate

Rainfall collectionUs

All fish die (pH 4.2)

frog eggs, tadpoles, crayfish and mayflies die (pH 5.5)

rainbow trout begin to die (pH 6.0)

pH scale

pH measurement

Remember: pH is an indicator of acidity, but it doesn’t tell the whole story about ions! (like checking/savings balance and net worth)

Source Attribution Methods

• Meteorological methods• Receptor models• Blended models

Your Task

1. Collect a rain sample and measure it’s pH.2. Determine the atmospheric path of the air

during the 72 hour period prior to the precipitation event.

3. Estimate the source(s) of the pollution contributing to the acidity/alkalinity of the rain.

Trajectory models

A Sample Trajectory calculation

Forward trajectory

Backward trajectories

Another Sample Trajectory calculation

Backward trajectory

The HYSPLIT Model

Step 1

http://ready.arl.noaa.gov/HYSPLIT.php

The HYSPLIT Model

Step 2

The HYSPLIT Model

Step 3

The HYSPLIT ModelStep 4

The HYSPLIT Model

Step 5

The HYSPLIT ModelStep 6.1

Resource for determining UTC time: www.noaanews.noaa.gov/hurricanes/zulu-utc.html

The HYSPLIT Model

Step 6.2

The HYSPLIT Model

Step 6.3

The HYSPLIT Model

Step 7

The HYSPLIT Model

Step 8

Your Task (revisited)

1. Collect a rain sample and measure it’s pH.2. Determine the atmospheric path of the air

during the 72 hour period prior to the precipitation event.

3. Estimate the source(s) of the pollution contributing to the acidity/alkalinity of the rain.

Population Data Sources

• Mexico Map:http://www.geographicguide.net/america/pictures/mexico-map.jpg

• Population of largest Mexican cities: https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/kahl/www/WebQuests/Tajin/id49.htm

• Texas population density (# people per square mile):https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/kahl/www/WebQuests/Tajin/Maps/texaspopulation.jpg

• Arizona population density (# people per square mile):https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/kahl/www/WebQuests/Tajin/Maps/arizonapopulation.jpg

• New Mexico population density (# people per square mile):https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/kahl/www/WebQuests/Tajin/Maps/newmexicopopulation.jpg

(these maps are included at the end of this presentation)

Some things to consider

a. Population centers the air passed over.b. The trajectory path.c. The trajectory altitude.d. Proximity of the trajectory path to the

population centers.

Task #3. Estimate the source(s) of the pollution contributing to the acidity/alkalinity of the rain.

Analysis Checklist

Population Data Sources

Mexico Map:http://www.geographicguide.net/america/pictures/mexico-map.jpg

Population Data Sources

Texas population density (# people per square mile):https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/kahl/www/WebQuests/Tajin/Maps/texaspopulation.jpg

Population Data Sources

Arizona population density (# people per square mile):https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/kahl/www/WebQuests/Tajin/Maps/arizonapopulation.jpg

Population Data SourcesNew Mexico population density (# people per square mile):

https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/kahl/www/WebQuests/Tajin/Maps/newmexicopopulation.jpg