Abstract
This study aims to understand the impact of various pollution sources, including ships and wildfires, on the air quality in South Florida. Based on docking schedules at the ports at Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the daily frequency patterns of ships and the heavy and light emission days are computed from 2009 to 2011. The levels of key air pollutants, such as fine aerosols and nitrogen dioxide, have shown to be elevated on select days, likely associated with ship emissions. Furthermore, a case study demonstrates the critical impact of episodic events on the regional air quality, even at a rather long distance. In May 2007, the infamous Bugaboo Scrub fire at the Florida-Georgia border generated a substantial amount of smoke. Detailed meteorological analyses show that certain wind conditions carried the smoke plume to South Florida, contributing to the very high aerosol concentrations observed that posed health threats to the public. During such events, precautionary notices can and should be brought to the public attention based on sound analyses of pollution sources and meteorological parameters.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Song Gao
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-4-2014 1:00 PM
End Date
4-4-2014 5:30 PM
Contributions of Various Pollution Sources to the Air Quality in South Florida
Alvin Sherman Library
This study aims to understand the impact of various pollution sources, including ships and wildfires, on the air quality in South Florida. Based on docking schedules at the ports at Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the daily frequency patterns of ships and the heavy and light emission days are computed from 2009 to 2011. The levels of key air pollutants, such as fine aerosols and nitrogen dioxide, have shown to be elevated on select days, likely associated with ship emissions. Furthermore, a case study demonstrates the critical impact of episodic events on the regional air quality, even at a rather long distance. In May 2007, the infamous Bugaboo Scrub fire at the Florida-Georgia border generated a substantial amount of smoke. Detailed meteorological analyses show that certain wind conditions carried the smoke plume to South Florida, contributing to the very high aerosol concentrations observed that posed health threats to the public. During such events, precautionary notices can and should be brought to the public attention based on sound analyses of pollution sources and meteorological parameters.
