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Results Jalyn Cummings, National Park Service, Shenandoah National Park Dr. Barkley Sive, National Park Service, Air Resources Division Dr. Bruce Doddridge, NASA Langley Research Center Dr. Kenton Ross, NASA Langley Research Center Aura OMI Abstract Objectives Methodology Study Area Earth Observations Acknowledgements Project Partners Team Members Shenandoah Health & Air Quality Monitoring Air Quality in Shenandoah National Park to Address National Park Service Initiatives Remotely sensed NO 2 exhibited a decrease over time, but ozone and SO 2 remained relatively constant. Ozone and SO 2 data were not statistically correlated with in situ observations. Conclusions NASA Langley Research Center – Summer 2017 Assess spatial and temporal trends in atmospheric pollutant species over Shenandoah National Park Analyze trends based on monthly, seasonal, and annual time steps Create a methodology to visual air quality parameters over time Ellen Bubak (Project Lead) Amanda Clayton Doug Gardiner Nicholas Lenfant Julie Terhune Shenandoah National Park, Virginia Gases such as ozone (O 3 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) have impeded visibility and impacted air health in Shenandoah National Park, one of the primary attractions of Virginia. Air quality is considered one of the park’s fundamental resources and is essential to maintaining its significance as a premier park with world-class views. This project utilized NASA Earth observations, including Aura's Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), to monitor ozone and nitrogen dioxide that threaten visibility and plant, animal, water, and human health in the park. Trend maps were created to assess spatial and temporal trends in pollutant species over Shenandoah National Park and the surrounding airshed. A methodology was created to help the National Park Service incorporate remote sensing data into their management decisions related to park health and air quality concerns. In situ station data from Big Meadows monitoring station were used to validate the NASA Earth observations. This information will aid in future decisions related to visitor education and ecological management in accordance with mandates from the Clean Air Act, the National Park Service Organic Act of 1916, and the Wilderness Act. Data Analysis Correlation Analysis Trend Maps Data Processing Monthly & Annual Averages Time Series Data Acquisition Aura OMI – Ozone, NO 2 , SO 2 Big Meadows (in situ) – CASTNET Tropospheric NO 2 and total column NO 2 were highly correlated. Remote sensing can provide the park with big-picture, long-term data to foresee trends in air pollutants that affect the park. 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 2016 Ozone (DU) OMI Monthly O 3 Average over Shenandoah Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec January NO 2 Concentrations 2016 2014 2009 2005 0 1E+15 2E+15 3E+15 4E+15 5E+15 6E+15 7E+15 8E+15 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Molecules/cm 2 Annual NO 2 Averages Total Column Tropospheric Molecules/cm 2 High: 3.95e+016 Low: 0 Ozone Nitrogen and Sulfur Dioxides -0.15 -0.05 0.05 0.15 0.25 0.35 0.45 -0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 Parts per billion (ppb) Dobson Units (DU) Annual SO 2 Averages 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 Parts per billion (ppb) Dobson Units (DU) Annual O 3 Averages OMI Observations Ground-level Observations OMI Observations Ground-level Observations 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
