THE AIR UP THERE Particulate Matter in Melbourne, Fl Department of Marine and Environmental Systems Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, Florida July 17, 2002

Melbourne Air Quality What is particulate matter? How was the data collected Particulate matter trends How is Melbourne’s air quality? Visibility How does meteorology affect particulate matter? The effect of fires on air quality Conclusions

Background Small particles suspended in the atmosphere Categories- TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 Sources- combustion, industrial processes, construction sites, dust from mining, agriculture, passing cars Combustion processes account for almost 50% of particulate matter

Why should we study this? Health Effects – –Cancer – –Asthma – –Emphysema Reduced visibility Most relevant effects with an annual mean of 50μg/m 3 or 24 hr average of 150 μg/m 3 there is exacerbation of respiratory mean disease symptoms; excess deaths; visibility

Measuring TSP and PM10

: Mettler Toledo # Air Filter Chamber : Mettler Toledo AB104 high-resolution balance

Measuring TSP and PM10 Measured every 3 days for 24 hours Machines set to begin at the same time Filters weighed before and after exposure to get particulate weight GMW L-2000 high-volume sampler Sierra Aanderson Model 1200 PM10 sampler

Measuring Flow Dweyer Corp. Flex Tube 24-D Water Manometer GMW G Rotometer High-Volume PM10

Results from January 20, June 13, 2002

TSP vs. PM10

PM10 vs. EPA Standard PM10 24hr average standard - 150μg/m 3 PM10 annual mean standard- 50 μg/m 3 – –Melbourne’s average PM10 for testing period (January 20, June 13, 2002) was 15 μg/m 3

PM10 and Standards Melbourne PM10- 15μ g/m 3 24hr Standard- 150 μ g/m3 Annual standard 50 μ g/m3

Visibility L v = 1000 L v = visual length (km) ρ TSP Typical visual ranges of 10 km are predicted by equation (100μg/m 3 ) *L v < 10km is considered haze For Melbourne  1000/42 μg/m 3 = 24km

Fires February 11 th - fire in Port St. John – –Fire covered over 50 acres Data on February 13th – –TSP reading of 42μg/m 3 – –PM10 reading of 30 μg/m 3 – –PM2.5 reading of 21 μg/m 3 – –*Highest concentrations during testing period

Fires Port. St. John to Melbourne – –38 miles – –Melbourne SSE of Port St. John – –Wind from northwest Feb ˚, Feb ˚, Feb ˚ Average wind direction over 3 days = 327 – –Light winds Feb mph, Feb mph, Feb mph Average wind speed over 3 days= 6.3mph

Fires A clean filter and TSP filter from February 10, 2002 (18μg/m 3 ) compared to TSP filter from February 13, 2002 (42μg/m 3 )

Conclusions TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 follow the same trends (linear relationship) Melbourne has low particulate matter concentrations compared to “polluted cities” Precipitation acts as a scavenger for particulate matter Fires, together with the correct wind direction, result in higher concentrations of particulate matter