The Delaware River Watershed & Airshed

A Power Plant in Ohio A Car in Washington, D.C. A Dairy Farm in Pennsylvania What Do These Have in Common?

Each produces air pollutants that can end-up in the Delaware River watershed

What is an Airshed? A geographic area that contributes most of the air pollution deposited in a watershed. Has no sharp boundaries, unlike a watershed. Its area can be many times larger than a watershed.

What Types of Pollutants are Found in Our Airshed?  Ground Level Ozone  Particulate Matter Minute pieces of solid materials (< 10 microns) Can accumulate in the lungs and interfere with gas exchange.  Acid and Nutrient Deposition Nitrogen oxides (NO x ) -Nitrogen oxides (NO x ) - 50% of NO x emissions come from automobile engines. Sulfur dioxides (SO 2 ) – burning of coal and high sulfur fossil fuelsSulfur dioxides (SO 2 ) – burning of coal and high sulfur fossil fuels  Toxic Substances Lead (Pb)Lead (Pb) Mercury (Hg)Mercury (Hg) Pollutants can be:  Suspended, i.e. particles of dust, smoke, and droplets. SO 2  Dissolved, i.e. Ozone, NO x, SO 2

What are the Primary Sources of Pollutants in Our Airshed?  Agriculture  Transportation Cars, Trains, and Planes  Electric Generation  Incineration  Manufacturing of Products

How are Air Pollutants Released into the Water? Wet Deposition Acid and/or nutrients are deposited by rain or snow. Accounts for majority of air pollutants deposited in the Delaware River watershed. Dry Deposition When gases or particles directly contact a body of water.

The Water Cycle

Nutrient & Acid Deposition Sources

The Nitrogen Cycle

Source: NASA AURA Satellite Image of Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations January 29, 2005 Red = Highest Concentrations Purple = Cloud Cover

EPA 2030 Nitrogen Deposition Reduction Goals:

Penn State University

Penn State University