Connor Lydon Natalie Gallagher San Lorenzo Valley High School Students About Our Project We investigate thermal inversions amp their affect on hazardous Particulate Matter 25 PM 25 levels created by excessive wood burning in San Lorenzo Valley SLV ID: 341582
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Secrets of San Lorenzo Valley’s Atmosphere: Vertical Meteorological Measurements
Connor Lydon, Natalie GallagherSan Lorenzo Valley High School StudentsSlide2
About Our Project
We investigate thermal inversions & their affect on hazardous Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) levels created by excessive wood burning in San Lorenzo Valley (SLV).We then communicated our results in science fairs, at air district meetings, board meetings, and directly to SLV residents.Slide3
Importance of Our Research
During winter, SLV has many days of moderate to unhealthy amounts of PM 2.5 (as determined by AQI Index).Much PM 2.5 is released in SLV due to wood burning.Thermal inversions result in a major increase in PM 2.5 levels, and many occur throughout winter in SLV.No lower atmospheric data had been previously collected for SLV.Slide4
An Introduction to SLV
Warm Summers, Cold WintersPM 2.5, as a result, only an issue in winter.Very few windy days.Highest PM 2.5 levels in the Monterey Bay Area.Slide5
SLV Residents
A majority of SLV’s community opposes regulation to wood burning, because:Convenience: Most homes in SLV are already equipped with wood burning appliances for home heating.Cost
: Wood is one of the cheaper heating options (when compared to sources such as propane.)Mindset: SLV Residents who live in the “deep valley” are in opposition to many types of regulation, no matter the concept covered. Slide6
Wood Burning: A Big Problem
Wood smoke is comprised of 80% through 90% PM 2.5.Many SLV Residents create an unnecessary amount of smoke in faulty wood burning practice or with low quality wood. SLV’s
PM 2.5 levels reflect seasonal changes, as does wood burning frequency, proving to us wood burning is where high levels of PM 2.5 is originating.Slide7
How Inversions Affect PM 2.5 Levels in SLV
Mountains
Mountains
PM 2.5
InversionSlide8Slide9
Flight Apparatus Slide10
i-Met 3050 Sounding SystemSlide11
i-Met 3050 Sounding SystemSlide12Slide13Slide14
EBAMs
We received PM 2.5 data from Environmental Beta Attenuation Monitors (EBAMs) operated by the MBUAPCD.PM 2.5 levels read on an hourly basis, resulting in the unit: μg/m3/hr. Slide15
Funding
The Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District (MBUAPCD) donated supplies, EBAM data, and much of their employees’ time in training and mentoring.InterMet donated generous amounts of supplies, allowing us to perform well over 40 launches in the 2012/2013 year.Slide16
TechniqueSlide17Slide18Slide19Slide20
Non-Inversion Day, January 9
th:PM 2.5 24HR Average: 14.7 ug/m3
Inversion Day, January 16th:PM 2.5 24HR Average: 35.3 ug/m3Slide21
Results & Conclusions
Particulate matter 2.5 increased significantly on all inversion days.On inversion days, PM 2.5 can reach unhealthy levels for the general population in San Lorenzo Valley.Inversions occur frequently in San Lorenzo Valley, and they are usually quite strong.Wood burning is the major cause of high levels of PM 2.5 in San Lorenzo ValleySlide22
How We Communicated
Interviewed by the Felton & Scotts Valley Press Banner, the Santa Cruz Sentinel, and on a local news station.
We presented our results in a competitive setting at science fairs at the county, state, international, and collegiate level.Attended community events where we’d present our results and introduce the problem of PM 2.5 in SLV.Presented at board meetings at San Lorenzo Valley HS, Santa Cruz County Office of Education, MBUAPCD, and the SLV Science Symposium.Slide23
Importance of Our Data to MBUAPCD
Use our data to analyze & correlate weather station information from other sites where radiosonde observations are not taken.Data critical to air quality forecasts for the SLV and Spare the Air announcements.The soundings we took will always serve as a permanent record to help understand the unique microclimate of SLV.Slide24
Accomplishments
1st in Earth Sciences & 1st Overall at Santa Cruz County Science Fair.1st
in Earth & Planetary Sciences at the State Science Fair.Finalists at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona.American Meteorological Society Outstanding Achievement AwardNaval Science AwardInvited to the I-Sweep International Fair and the International Mostratec Science Fair in Brazil.Received $1,600 in cash awards.Slide25
Where We’re Going
We are continuing to launch weather balloons this winter season.We are planning to use the data we have collected and are collecting in new ways.We plan to continue to present at science fairs.We wish to still present the issue to residents of SLV, and hopefully prompt change.Slide26
Questions
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