Rural Ozone Across the Eastern United States: Analysis of CASTNet Data, 1988–1995

ABSTRACT

A predominantly rural ozone monitoring network was operated under the auspices of the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNet) from 1988 until 1995. Ozone data from sites in the eastern United States are presented and several indices are used to describe the spatial and temporal distribution of ozone concentration and exposure. These indices are SUM06, W126, the 8-hour rolling average (MAX_8hr>80), and the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone. Ozone indices were selected to illustrate the spatial and temporal distribution of ozone, and the sensitivity of this distribution to different representations of concentration or exposure.

CASTNet is unique in that a uniform set of site selection criteria and uniform procedures, including traceability to a single primary standard, provide a high degree of comparability across sites. Sites were selected to avoid undue influence from point sources, area sources, or local activities. The sites reflect a wide range of land use and terrain types including agricultural and forested, in flat, rolling, and complex terrain from the eastern seaboard across the Appalachian Mountains to the Midwest.

Results indicate that ozone concentrations varied greatly in time and space across the eastern United States. Sites in the upper northeast, upper midwest, and southern periphery subregions experienced relatively low ozone during the years of record compared to sites in the northeast, midwest, and south central subregions. Ozone exposures at an individual rural site are dependent on many factors, including terrain, meteorology, and distance from sources of precursors. Relative to the current (as of 1996) NAAQS, only a handful of CASTNet sites near major urban areas report exceedances. In contrast, the majority of CASTNet sites might exceed the proposed new primary standard for ozone.

Sites at high elevation (>900m) in the east exhibit relatively high exposure statistics (e.g., SUM06 and W126), but no exceedance of the current ozone standard from 1988 through 1995. Terrain effects explain some of the variability within subregions and are an important consideration in the design of monitoring networks for ozone and possibly other pollutants.     

Estrogenicity profile and estrogenic compounds determined in river sediments by chemical analysis, ELISA and yeast assays

An effects-directed strategy was applied to bed sediments of a polluted tributary in order to isolate and identify the major estrogenic chemicals it discharges into the River Po, the principal Italian watercourse. Sediment extract was concentrated by solid phase extraction and then fractioned into 10 fractions by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Estrogenic activity of whole extract and fractions were determined using a recombinant yeast assay containing the human estrogen receptor (YES). The 10 fractions and whole extract were analysed for target compounds, e.g. estrone (E1), 17beta-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 4-nonylphenol (NP), 4-tert-octylphenol (t-OP), bisphenol A (BPA), using both liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and non-competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The YES assay determined high estrogenic activity in whole sediment (15.6 ng/g EE2 equivalents), and positive results for fractions nr 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8. E1, E3 and NP were the main estrogenic chemicals, however, other unidentified compounds contributed to sediment estrogenicity, particularly for polar fractions nr 1 and 2. A GC-MS screening performed in scan mode identified other potential contributors such as phthalates (DBP, BBP), and OP isomers. A next sampling campaign extended to other tributaries and receiving stretches of the River Po confirmed E1, E3 and NP as major estrogenic chemicals potentially threatening other sites of the main river. In general, target compound ELISAs have been shown to be suitable tools for a rapid screening of wide areas or large numbers of environmental samples for estrogenic risk. The potential for interferences suggests however to use cautiously the concentration values obtained from some of the immunoassays.     

In situ soil stabilization for source control of a lithium and bromate groundwater plume

Historic mineral ore processing operations at the former Cyprus Foote Mineral Site located in East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania, have resulted in the creation of an approximately 10,000‐foot‐long off‐site groundwater plume impacted with lithium and bromate. The plume emanating from the site is impacting the groundwater quality of downgradient private residences. As an early part of the remedial implementation, the private residences were provided with public water connections while the source control efforts were being designed and implemented. Bromate and lithium have recently emerged as groundwater contaminants subjected to increased regulatory scrutiny. This is evidenced in a recently lowered Federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for bromate of 0.010 milligrams per liter and a Medium‐Specific Concentration (MSC) of 0.005 mg/L for lithium recently proposed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) for all groundwater within the Commonwealth. Elevated concentrations for bromate and lithium were detected above the Proposed Remediation Goals (PRGs) for the site, MCLs, and MSCs at a distance of 7,300 feet and 9,200 feet from the source area, respectively. To reduce the contaminant concentrations within the groundwater plume, which will ultimately result in a regressing plume, and to enable the Brownfield redevelopment of this Superfund site, auger‐based, in situ soil stabilization (ISS) with depths of up to 75 feet below ground surface (bgs) was selected as the remedy. The remedial implementation required the temporary removal and relocation of over 100,000 cubic yards of overburden to expose the lithium‐bearing tailings prior to treatment. Using customized 90‐foot‐long, 9‐foot‐diameter augers attached to cranes and drilling platforms, ancillary support excavators, and approximately 21,000 tons of reagent; 2,019 ISS columns were advanced to depths ranging from 10 to 74 feet bgs. This resulted in the creation of an in situ low‐permeablity 117,045‐yd³ “quasi‐monolith,” which encompasses a lateral extent of approximately three acres. The integration of a comprehensive ISS design with a comprehensive long‐term groundwater‐monitoring plan ensured the success of the ISS implementation and will enable a continued evaluation of the off‐site groundwater quality. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

In situ bioremediation of an aniline spill in an industrial setting

In situ remediation of aniline from soils and groundwater using biological and physical treatments was conducted at the BASF Corporation facility in Geismar, Louisiana. To mitigate the migration of aniline, remediate contaminated soil and groundwater, and determine concentrations, 24 immobilized microbe bioreactors were fixed in the subsoil, and a horizontal recovery well and 7 monitoring wells were installed. Soil and monitoring wells were sampled quarterly to assess bioplug impact on the aniline concentrations. The recovery well was sampled monthly to estimate the pounds of aniline removed from groundwater. Soil pH, composition, and microbial counts were used to estimate the fate and transport. Aniline levels were lowered significantly after remediation and total cancer risk was below levels for industrial sites, as established by State of Louisiana Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program guidelines. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

In situ seagrass photosynthesis measured using a submersible, pulse-amplitude modulated fluorometer

Assessments of photosynthetic activity in marine plants can now be made in situ using a newly developed, submersible, pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer: Diving-PAM. PAM fluorometry provides a measure of chlorophyll a fluorescence using rapid-light curves in which the electron-transport rate can be determined for plants exposed to ambient light conditions. This technique was used to compare the photosynthetic responses of seagrasses near Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Several fluorescence parameters were measured as a function of time of day and water depth; electron-transport rate (ETR), quantum yield, photochemical quenching and non-photochemical quenching and Photosystem II (PSII) photochemical efficiency (F _v :F _m ratio) were measured. Results indicate that recent light-history plays a crucial role in seagrass photosynthetic responses. Maximum ETR of Posidonia australis, Amphibolis antarctica and Halophila ovalis is influenced by the irradiance during the diurnal cycle, with low rates at dawn and dusk (<10 μmol electron m⁻² s⁻¹), highest rates in late morning (40 to 60 μmol electron m⁻² s⁻¹) and a mid-day depression. Maximum ETR and PSII photochemical efficiency varied widely between seagrass species and were not correlated. A comparison of photochemical to non-photochemical quenching indicated that seagrasses in shallow water receiving high light have a high capacity for non-photochemical quenching (e.g. light protection) compared to seagrasses in deep water. These results indicate that in situ measurements of photosynthesis will provide new insights into the mechanisms and adaptive responses of marine plants. Received: 26 May 1997 / Accepted: 27 May 1998     

Analyse von Quecksilber in Seeadlerfedern aus Mecklenburg-Vorpommern mit Hilfe der Hamburger Protonenmikrosonde

With the aid of the Hamburg proton micro-probe, we examined the concentration of mercury in sea eagle feathers collected over the course of several decades in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern area. Based on the sites where these feathers were collected and the data of these findings, it is possible to get a differential picture of mercury contamination related both temporally and regionally to the mercurial pollution of seed mordants used agriculturally. We compared the concentrations found with a basic “geogenic” contamination which was also to be seen in the feather samples from the last century as detected in museum animal specimens.     

The lag daemon: hysteresis in rebuilding landscapes and implications for biodiversity futures

Many native bird species in production landscapes of south-eastern Australia demonstrably are declining, with loss of native vegetation as the major cause. Our biodiversity management objectives must be to increase the probabilities of persistence of birds that should occur in the landscape. To do so, there needs to be extensive amounts of new plantings. However, one must be conscious that: (1) new plantings in the impoverished soils and increasing aridity of southern Australia will take many decades to mature, and, also, will offer suitable habitats for a sequence of different species over the course of that maturation process; and (2) much existing vegetation is senescent or will be in a few decades' time. Recent landscape rebuilding models do not explicitly consider maturation time-lags. These hystereses in habitat maturation may create 'bottlenecks' at future times (e.g. in 50yr) that might prevent some species from persisting in whole landscapes even though such landscapes may be much more suitable in 100yr than now. There are several critical issues: (1) species differ in habitat needs and even one species may require different kinds of habitats for foraging and for breeding; (2) landscapes must be conceived, and managed, as spatial and temporal mosaics to allow for persistence of the full set of species that should occupy them, meaning that senescing and replanted habitats may need to be juxtaposed; and (3) in certain particularly problematic landscapes, some highly productive agricultural lands may need to be used for providing habitat because maturation can be fast-tracked in fertile, well-watered locations. The problem is a complex one of scheduling and placement, and its optimization presents major theoretical and analytical challenges.     

EFFECTS OF LAKE MICHIGAN DIVERSION ON THE WATER CHEMISTRY OF THE ILLINOIS WATERWAY1

: Chemical quality characteristics of the Illinois waterway covering a stretch of 270 river miles were monitored at approximately 10 mile intervals, during the period June to September of 1978 and 1979. A statistical method was used to define the interstation relationships for the chemical parameters. These mathematical models were used to predict the effects of Lake Michigan diversion. The mineral content of the mixed flow resulting from increased diversions are not likely to be altered drastically.     

Projecting Large-Scale Area Changes in Land Use and Land Cover for Terrestrial Carbon Analyses

One of the largest changes in US forest type areas over the last half-century has involved pine types in the South. The area of planted pine has increased more than 10-fold since 1950, mostly on private lands. Private landowners have responded to market incentives and government programs, including subsidized afforestation on marginal agricultural land. Timber harvest is a crucial disturbance affecting planted pine area, as other forest types are converted to planted pine after harvest. Conversely, however, many harvested pine plantations revert to other forest types, mainly due to passive regeneration behavior on nonindustrial private timberlands. We model land use and land cover changes as a basis for projecting future changes in planted pine area, to aid policy analysts concerned with mitigation activities for global climate change. Projections are prepared in two stages. Projected land use changes include deforestation due to pressures to develop rural land as the human population expands, which is a larger area than that converted from other rural lands (e.g., agriculture) to forestry. In the second stage, transitions among forest types are projected on land allocated to forestry. We consider reforestation, influences of timber harvest, and natural succession and disturbance processes. Baseline projections indicate a net increase of about 5.6 million ha in planted pine area in the South over the next 50 years, with a notable increase in sequestered carbon. Additional opportunities to expand pine plantation area warrant study of landowner behavior to aid in designing more effective incentives for inducing land use and land cover changes to help mitigate climate change and attain other goals.     

Cancer cluster among police detachment personnel

An apparent cancer cluster at a police detachment in a coastal British Columbia community was investigated. Police personnel suspected that the detachment building may have been a factor. Police personnel (20 current and 154 previous employees) associated with the detachment since 1963, the date of occupancy, were traced. After all 174 cases were contacted directly, or next of kin in case of death, a total of 16 cases of cancer or suspected cancers were reported. Of these 16, eight cases of cancer were confirmed through a cancer registry. Cancers included testicular, cervical, colon, skin (including melanoma), leukemias and lymphomas with an age range of diagnosis between 22 and 44 years. There was no evidence for an underlying event, factor or condition in the police building that could be attributed to the observed cancer cases. A possible association between these cancers and the use of police traffic radar is discussed.