Air Quality Lab
By: Elise Butterworth
Group Members: Jessica and Jazmine
Introduction:
In 1947, California passed the first air pollution control laws. Air pollution control
districts were then introduced in the 1960's and air pollution control devices were installed on
cars. By 1970, the Clean Air Act was passed. This act passed NAAQs, which regulated
concentrations of certain pollutants. Because of this, there has been a reduction in many air
pollutants. Although, the exponentially growing population and increasing car use has prevented
a reduction in some types of pollutants.
Hypothesis:
The air outside Panther Creek High School will be unhealthy because car emissions will impact
diminish the quality.
Data:
Tree Data:
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Diameter: 74.2 centimeters
Number of Lichens: Around 40 Crustose
Score for quality: 3
Ozone:
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Ozone #: 10
Ozone in ppb: 130
Particulate:
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Overall Assessment: Light Particulate Matter
Drawing:
Conclusion:
The hypothesis stated above was correct, according to the data. This is because the
appearance of crustose lichens, an indicator species, revealed that the air quality was poor with
high sulfur dioxide concentrations. In addition, ozone levels were extremely high, according to
the Schoenbein paper. The highest rating the EPA will allow for ozone in a community is 80
ppb, while the paper suggests that the ozone level was at 130 ppb during the testing period.
Lastly, there was an appearance of particulate matter, which suggests that there was fine
particulates, which degrade air quality.
Post Lab:
1. The ozone concentration for a relative humidity of 23% would be 120 ppb, for 48% it would
be 60 ppb and for 81% it would be 10 ppb.
2. The Shoenbein number for a humidity of 28% would be 2, for 48% it would be 3 and for 72%
it would be 6.
3. The wind direction during the study was southwest. It would affect the measurements because
wind direction influences the movement of a plume of air pollution. If the wind is blowing
pollutants southwest from an urban area to the high school, than pollution levels are likely to be
higher near the high school. So, measurements of ozone and particulate matter would increase.
4. Compared to the data from the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the air near
Panther Creek High School is worse than the air in urban portions of California. The air in
California had a rating of 50, which indicates good air quality. The air near PCHS, on the other
hand, had a high Schoenbein number, indicating high ozone levels and bad air quality. This
shows the inaccuracies of the Schoenbein paper because an urban, industrial city such as Los
Angeles should have higher tropospheric ozone levels than a school in a more rural area.
5. The UV index at the test site during the lab was 3. If the UV index is higher, than the
concentration of ozone in the air will be more significant. This is because UV radiation, nitrogen
oxides and hydrocarbons aid in creating tropospheric ozone.
6. No, the triangle did not meet the standard of 80 ppb. The measurement made was not an
accurate representation of Wake County's air quality because the air was measured in a parking
lot. These emissions of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons along with UV radiation coming from
the sun would then increase the amount of ozone in the surrounding area.
7. Most of the counties that are not meeting required ozone levels are located in the North East,
where industry is prominent. Coal burning factories, the large number of cars and other
businesses can release ozone forming pollutants, thus adding to the amount of ozone in that
particular area.
8. Particulate matter was most likely not part of the Clean Air Act until the 1990's because
scientists didn't have the technology to recognize small particulates of pollutants.