Secrets of San Lorenzo Valley’s Atmosphere: Vertical Meteorological Measurements

Connor Lydon, Natalie GallagherSan Lorenzo Valley

High School Students

About Our ProjectWe 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.

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.

An Introduction to SLVWarm 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.

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.

Wood Burning: A Big ProblemWood 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.

How Inversions Affect PM 2.5 Levels in SLV

Mountains Mountains

PM 2.5

Inversion

Flight Apparatus

i-Met 3050 Sounding System

i-Met 3050 Sounding System

EBAMsWe 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.

FundingThe 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.

Technique

305 488 774 2639 3769 4399 4480 49230

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

SLV Inversion DataJanuary 9, 2013

Temperature ºC

Height in Feet

Tem

pera

ture

ºC

305 426 682 734 1387 1583 3294 3691 4025 4916 5077

-4-202468

10121416

SLV Inversion DataJanuary 16, 2013

Temperature ºC

Height in Feet

Tem

pera

ture

ºC

12:00

AM

2:00

AM

4:00

AM

6:00

AM

8:00

AM

10:00

AM

12:00

PM

2:00

PM

4:00

PM

6:00

PM

8:00

PM

10:00

PM0

102030405060708090

100

Particulate Matter 2.5January 16, 2013

Particulate Matter 2.5

ug/m

3/hr

Non-Inversion Day, January 9th:PM 2.5 24HR Average: 14.7 ug/m3

Inversion Day, January 16th:PM 2.5 24HR Average: 35.3 ug/m3

Results & ConclusionsParticulate 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 Valley

How We CommunicatedInterviewed 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.

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.

Accomplishments1st 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 Award

Naval Science Award Invited to the I-Sweep International Fair

and the International Mostratec Science Fair in Brazil.

Received $1,600 in cash awards.

Where We’re GoingWe 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.

Questions

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