Use of the Deciview Haze Index as an Indicator for Regional Haze

ABSTRACT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) for regional haze uses the deciview haze index (dv) as the indicator for visibility impairment and proposes a change of 1 dv as "a small but noticeable change in haziness under most circumstances." All previous visibility rules have specified human perception as the indicator for visibility impairment. This article examines the technical basis cited in the NPR for this new indicator for visibility impairment and for the perception threshold of approximately 1 dv. Derivations based on the assumptions and approximations cited in the NPR show that the deciview haze index does not have the correct functional form to relate changes in haze within federal Class I areas to the visual perception of those changes. The just-noticeable change in light extinction is, in most cases, inversely proportional to the sight path length instead of proportional to the light-extinction coefficient. These derivations also indicate that a 1-dv change in haziness is typically too small to be perceived in most Class I areas.     

Regional visibility modeling for the Eastern United States

Visibility modeling over long transport distances is complicated not only by the chemical and removal processes, but also by the multiplicity of sources from different areas that contribute to the particle and gaseous concentrations—and visibility impairment—at specific locations. To study interregional pollutant exchanges and their effect on visibility, a regional model has been developed and applied to the eastern United States and the visibility reduction budgeted according to area of origin. The new model, called VISMAP-1, produces short-term (three-hour) and long-term (monthly) sulfate concentrations; visibility calculations are made by applying a mass-to-light-scattering function to the aerosol concentrations. This function is weighted according to relative humidity to account for hygroscopic particle growth. One of the most useful features of this model is its capability to budget fine-particulate and gaseous concentrations in various receptor regions according to the contribution of source regions.In this analysis for visibility effects, three-hour SURE (Sulfate Regional Experiment) sulfate measurements for July 1978 are compared to fine-particle calculations to evaluate the model's ability to predict the transport of aerosol sulfur for the shorter averaging period. Visibility is modeled from the sulfate calculations using an empirical mass-to-light-scattering function. This technique is commonly used to determine aerosol light-scattering properties at given relative humidities. National Weather Service visual range observations have been compared with the model's visibility calculations; both regional patterns of visibility degradation and the absolute magnitude of the reduction in visual range are evaluated. Preliminary results are encouraging and the VISMAP modeling approach appears to be a useful step toward identifying long-range source/receptor relationships that affect visibility.     

Tracking Regional Background in a Haze Attribution Experiment

ABSTRACT

Emissions from distant source areas are often imagined to provide a steady background to the emissions of whatever local sources are being studied. As part of Project MOHAVE in summer 1992, several air mass markers and an injected stack tracer were measured hourly near the Grand Canyon. Observed haze events generally coincided with transients in methylchloroform and water vapor, which we interpret as endemic tags for air from southern California and the subtropics. The results depict a dynamic regional background.     

Recommended Procedures for Measuring Odorous Contaminants in the Field

Although the perception of odorous contaminants cannot be precisely described, certain basic facts about human olfaction are known. With known facts or principles, it is possible to investigate odorous contaminants for air pollution control purposes. Odor remains, however, a very intangible commodity. Odorous contaminant investigations must be tailored to the individual problem or locality. Consequently, methods herein described were designed for individuals who have a working knowledge of either odor or air pollution problems. Background references are available for workers who are not familiar with either field.^1-8 This method will describe generalized facts concerning odors as well as subjective and objective methods for measuring odorous contaminants in the field. The use of specific portions of the method depends upon each individual investigation.     

Air pollutant source characterization using the revised regional haze tracking metric and a photochemical grid model and implications for regional haze planning

The 2017 revisions to the Regional Haze Rule clarify that visibility progress at Class I national parks and wilderness areas should be tracked on days with the highest anthropogenic contributions to haze (impairment). We compare the natural and anthropogenic contributions to haze in the western United States in 2011 estimated using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended method and using model projections from the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions (CAMx) and the Particulate Source Apportionment Tool (PSAT). We do so because these two methods will be used by states to demonstrate visibility progress by 2028. If the two methods assume different natural and anthropogenic contributions, the projected benefits of reducing U.S. anthropogenic emissions will differ. The EPA method assumes that episodic elevated carbonaceous aerosols greater than an annual 95th percentile threshold are natural events. For western U.S. IMPROVE monitoring sites reviewed in this paper, CAMx-PSAT confirms these episodes are impacted by carbon from wildfire or prescribed fire events. The EPA method assumes that most of the ammonium sulfate is anthropogenic in origin. At most western sites CAMx-PSAT apportions more of the ammonium sulfate on the most impaired days to global boundary conditions and anthropogenic Canadian, Mexican, and offshore shipping emissions than to U.S. anthropogenic sources. For ammonium nitrate and coarse mass, CAMx-PSAT apportions greater contributions to U.S. anthropogenic sources than the EPA method assigns to total anthropogenic contributions. We conclude that for western IMPROVE sites, the EPA method is effective in selecting days that are likely to be impacted by anthropogenic emissions and that CAMx-PSAT is an effective approach to estimate U.S. source contributions. Improved inventories, particularly international and natural emissions, and further evaluation of global and regional model performance and PSAT attribution methods are recommended to increase confidence in modeled source characterization.

Implications: The western states intend to use the CAMx model to project visibility progress by 2028. Modeled visibility response to changes in U.S. anthropogenic emissions may be less than estimated using the EPA assumptions based on total U.S. and international anthropogenic contributions to visibility impairment. Additional model improvements are needed to better account for contributions to haze from natural and international emissions in current and future modeling years. These improvements will allow more direct comparison of model and EPA estimates of natural and anthropogenic contributions to haze and future visibility progress.     

Regional and local determinations of particulate matter and visibility in the southwestern United States during June and July, 1979

Data on ambient particulate concentrations by size and elemental composition taken in Arizona and Utah are compared to simultaneous telephotometer measurements of standard visual range. Particulate samples were collected during the VISTTA program from 26 June to 11 July 1979, at Zilnez Mesa, Arizona, and compared to similar 24 h measurements made as part of a long term research program at Zion and Canyonlands National Parks in Utah. Samples were collected with rotating drum Multtday impactors which provide three aerodynamic size ranges; 15μm–3.5μm; 3.5μm–0.5μm, and less than 0.5/jm. Elemental composition of samples was measured using the particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) system at the Crocker Nuclear Laboratory. Measurements of visibility were made at Canyonlands National Park and Zilnez Mesa using both multiwavelength telephotometers and nephelometers. Results indicate that the particulate matter in each size range behaves to a large degree independently of the other size ranges, but that correlations are often observed between sites. On 29 June, an episode of elevated sulfur concentrations, > 1 μm m ⁻³ of S, was observed at all three sites. Decreased visibilities were recorded for the episode period at both Canyonlands and Zilnez Mesa. Sulfur episodes on 22–24 June and 20–21 July measured at Zion and Canyonlands also correlated well with reduced visibility at Canyonlands. Episodes of reduced visibilities also occurred during periods of stable sulfur values. The strongest of these, on 1718 June, as well as a weaker one, 4–7 June, correlated well with fine soils in the 0.5–3.5 μm size range. The conclusion is that reduced visibility is associated with regional episodes of both increased sulfur and increased fine soils, with best correlations occurring in both cases for sizes somewhat greater than 0.5μm dia.     

Causes of Haze in the Columbia River Gorge

Abstract

Visibility impairment in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is an area of concern. A field study conducted from July 2003 to February 2005 was followed by data analysis and receptor modeling to better understand the temporal and spatial patterns of haze and the sources contributing to the haze in the Columbia River Gorge in the states of Washington and Oregon. The nephelometer light scattering and surface meteorological data at eight sites along the gorge showed five distinct wind patterns, each with its characteristic diurnal and spatial patterns in light scattering by particles (b_sp). In summer, winds were nearly always from west to east (upgorge) and showed decreasing b_sp with distance into the gorge and a pronounced effect of the Portland, OR, metropolitan area on haze, especially in the western portions of the gorge. Winter often had winds from the east with very high levels of b_sp, especially at the eastern gorge sites, with sources east of the gorge responsible for much of the haze. The major chemical components responsible for haze were organic carbon, sulfate, and nitrate. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) using chemically speciated Inter-agency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments data indicated seven source factors in the western gorge and five factors in the eastern gorge. Organic mass is a large contributor to haze in the gorge in all seasons, with a peak in fall. The PMF analysis suggests that approximately half of the organic mass is biomass smoke, with mobile sources as the second largest contributor. PMF analysis showed nitrates (important in fall and winter) mainly attributed to a generic secondary nitrate factor, with the next largest contributor being oil combustion at Mt. Zion, WA and mobile sources at Wishram, WA. Sulfate is a significant contributor in all seasons, with peak sulfate concentrations in summer.     

A modeling study of visibility in the Grand Canyon

Using a backward version of the Monte Carlo radiative transfer model, radiance values in the Grand Canyon were simulated to within the precision of 10%. The contiguous spectral contrast was introduced to distinguish between adjacent areas of the same target and compared to the apparent spectral contrast. The contiguous spectral contrast is a valuable tool in evaluating visibility because in some cases, the target became more distinguishable when viewed against the sky while the target features became less distinguishable. Average equilibrium radiance values were calculated and incorporated into the Koschmieder estimate; the Koschmieder estimate was deemed to be of limited value in the Grand Canyon because of the violation of the assumptions used to derive the estimate.It was shown that apparent spectral contrasts determined from first order scattering results were within 10% of these contrasts determined from multiple order scattering results. However, higher order scattering must be considered when radiance values are calculated for the Grand Canyon scene.     

An innovative methodology for analyzing digital visibility images in an urban environment

A novel methodology combining digital imaging, conventional fixed visibility monitors, and solar radiation monitors has been developed to characterize the visual air quality of the El Paso and Ciudad Juarez urban vista. The authors have found that the digital image quality is reproducible and useful for quantitative analysis of visibility conditions. Regions of interest were selected in images along view paths of interest and values for a contrast variable of interest, typically the coefficient of variation or contrast ratio (CR) for discrete targets, were computed. Both of these indices are bounded at 0 and 1 and are scaled to the "clean day" maxima for a given date, time, and selected view paths. This produces a relative visibility index for various view paths. With the siting of a Belfort (6230A) visibility monitor at a central location, it has been possible to initiate contrast analysis of various targets in current and archived camera images obtained near this monitor. For uniformly "clean" days, as indicated by fine particulate matter observations and visual inspection, the authors have been able to use the extinction coefficient (Bext) derived from the 6230A to put the relative visibility index, based on CR, on an absolute basis in terms of an ideal target located at a given distance. This permits the generation of contrast extinction, Bext/C, for each view path that is independent of the actual target intrinsic contrast (within limits) and allows the comparison of Bext/C along different view paths with other air quality indices. Multiple linear regression was used to derive a relationship between the CR-based Bext/C value and air quality parameters. Visibility attenuation because of sulfate particles was found to have the highest correlation with Bext/C. In addition, solar radiation was observed to be a significant predictor of visibility in the urban region.     

Assessment of the nested grid model estimates for driving regional visibility models in the southwestern United States

The Nested Grid Model (NGM) is a primitive-equation meteorological model that is routinely exercised over North America for forecasting purposes by the National Meteorological Center. While prognostic meteorological models are being increasingly used to drive air quality models, their use in conducting annual simulations requires significant resources. NGM estimates of wind fields and other meteorological variables provide an attractive alternative since they are typically archived and readily available for an entire year. Preliminary evaluation of NGM winds during the summer of 1992 for application to the region surrounding the Grand Canyon National Park showed serious shortcomings. The NGM winds along the borders between California, Arizona and Mexico tend to be northwesterly with a speed of about 6 m/sec, while the observed flow is predominantly southerly at about 2-5 m/sec. The mesoscale effect of a thermal low pressure area over the highly heated Southern California and western Arizona deserts does not appear to be represented by the NGM because of its coarse resolution and the use of sparse observations in that region. Tracer simulations and statistical evaluation against special high resolution observations of winds in the southwest United States clearly demonstrate the northwest bias in NGM winds and its adverse effect on predictions of an air quality model. The "enhanced" NGM winds, in which selected wind observations are incorporated in the NGM winds using a diagnostic meteorological model provide additional confirmation on the primary cause of the northwest bias. This study has demonstrated that in situations where limited resources prevent the use of prognostic meteorological models, previously archived coarse resolution wind fields in which additional observations are incorporated to correct known biases provide an attractive option.     

天津市大气能见度与空气污染物关系分析及控制措施

利用天津市1990—2004年大气能见度观测资料及天津市2002—2004年空气污染物监测数据,统计分析了天津市大气能见度变化特征及其与空气污染物的关系。结果表明,天津市20世纪90年代大气能见度处于波动下降趋势,2000—2003年大气能见度整体水平有所改善,到2004年空气质量迅速提高。统计数据说明,在非采暖季的春季,天津市大气能见度的下降与PM10浓度有较大相关性;在夏季,与相对湿度有较大相关性;在采暖季(冬季),与SO2和NOX等空气污染物浓度有密切关系。同时,提出改善城市大气能见度的4个措施:(1)制定长期的大气能见度控制策略;(2)合理改善能源结构;(3)加强城市裸露土地的治理;(4)城市交通采用清洁能源。     

On the use of decision analysis in determining significant visibility impairment

In the United States, the 1977 Clean Air Act Amendments and subsequent regulations provide federal land managers with a responsibility to protect visibility against significant impairment within selected wildernesses, parks and other so-called mandatory Class I areas.This paper outlines a decision analysis approach to help in identifying critical decision points for federal land managers in determining the degree of visibility protection appropriate for Class I areas. The paper reviews visibility related responsibilities of Class I managers and describes options available to them. It also identifies current information and potential data on the economic and social values of air visibility which could be used with the decision tree approach and gives an overview of the state of the art of quantifying those values.     

Guidance for the performance evaluation of three-dimensional air quality modeling systems for particulate matter and visibility

Guidance for the performance evaluation of three-dimensional air quality modeling systems for particulate matter and visibility is presented. Four levels are considered: operational, diagnostic, mechanistic, and probabilistic evaluations. First, a comprehensive model evaluation should be conducted in at least two distinct geographical locations and for several meteorological episodes. Next, streamlined evaluations can be conducted for other similar applications if the comprehensive evaluation is deemed satisfactory. In all cases, the operational evaluation alone is insufficient, and some diagnostic evaluation must always be carried out. Recommendations are provided for designing field measurement programs that can provide the data needed for such model performance evaluations.     

Natural background visibility and regional haze goals in the Southeastern United States

The goal of the regional haze mitigation program in the United States is to attain "natural conditions" in national parks and wilderness areas by 2064. Results of research investigations on background concentrations of sea salt and biogenic organic matter, of episodic Saharan and Asian dust, and of carbon from natural fires were reviewed to provide a basis for making site-specific estimates of what the concentrations of atmospheric fine particulate matter components might be under natural conditions in the Southeastern United States. Based on this review, rough estimates were made of potential contributions of these aerosol components to natural background visibility. Natural organic particles were the dominant influence on the rate of visibility improvement required to reach natural conditions at an inland, mountainous location, and organic particles and sea salt were the dominant influences on the rate at a coastal location. African dust also had a large episodic effect, but the current regulatory approach is not designed to address episodic background variations. Insufficient data exist to quantify the contributions of wildfires with any detail, although global air pollution modeling provides insight, and their emissions can be locally dominant. Conservative regional refinements to the default natural background estimates do not greatly alter the region-wide rates of reduction of ambient particulate matter concentrations that will be needed to accomplish the first phase of the regional haze program. However, refinements at specific Class I areas may have considerable influence on defining the nature (magnitude and spatial and temporal distribution) of local emission reduction efforts there.     

Analysis of a Summertime PM2.5 and Haze Episode in the Mid-Atlantic Region

Abstract

Observations of the mass and chemical composition of particles less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM_2.5), light extinction, and meteorology in the urban Baltimore-Washington corridor during July 1999 and July 2000 are presented and analyzed to study summertime haze formation in the mid-Atlantic region. The mass fraction of ammoniated sulfate (SO₄ ^2-) and carbonaceous material in PM_2.5 were each ～50% for cleaner air (PM_2.5 < 10 μg/m³) but changed to ～60% and ～20%, respectively, for more polluted air (PM_2.5 > 30 μg/m³). This signifies the role of SO₄ ^2- in haze formation. Comparisons of data from this study with the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments network suggest that SO₄ ^2? is more regional than carbonaceous material and originates in part from upwind source regions. The light extinction coefficient is well correlated to PM_2.5 mass plus water associated with inorganic salt, leading to a mass extinction efficiency of 7.6 ± 1.7 m²/g for hydrated aerosol. The most serious haze episode occurring between July 15 and 19, 1999, was characterized by westerly transport and recirculation slowing removal of pollutants. At the peak of this episode, 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration reached ～45 μg/m³, visual range dropped to ～5 km, and aerosol water likely contributed to ～40% of the light extinction coefficient.     

Ozone and other air quality-related variables affecting visibility in the southeast United States

An analysis of ozone (O3) concentrations and several other air quality-related variables was performed to elucidate their relationship with visibility at five urban and semi-urban locations in the southeast United States during the summer seasons of 1980-1996. The role and impact of O3 on aerosols was investigated to ascertain a relationship with visibility. Regional trend analysis over the 1980s reveals an increase in maximum O3 concentration coupled with a decrease in visibility. However, a similar analysis for the 1990s shows a leveling-off of both O3 and visibility; in both cases, the results were not statistically significant at the 5% level. A case study of site-specific trends at Nashville, TN, followed similar trends. To better understand the relationships between O3 concentration and visibility, the analysis was varied from yearly through daily to hourly averaged values. This increased temporal resolution showed a statistically significant inverse relationship between visibility and O3. Site-specific hourly r2 values ranged from 0.02 to 0.43. Additionally, by performing back-trajectory analysis, it was found that the visibility degraded by air mass migration over polluted areas.     

Analysis of regional visibility in the southwest using principal component and back trajectory techniques

Approximately 3 years of visibility data from a 13-station teleradiometer network in the southwest desert is the basis for the analysis presented. Principal component analysis is employed to identify regions of similarly varying visibility for the enitre data set and by seasons. ‘North’, ‘Center’ and ‘South’ regions are identified in each of the four seasons. These regions change their size, shape and location somewhat through the seasons and thus are referred to as groups with each group containing four seasonal regions. Distinctive mean visibility levels and variations characterize the three groups. Back trajectoryanalysis techniques are developed to infer the nature and extent of influence of upwind areas on the three visibility groups. Two years of four daily back trajectories indicate primary detrimental influence from the southwest for the ‘North’ group and from the southeast for the ‘South’. Areas influencing the ‘Center’-group visibility are a combination of those affecting the other two groups. A method to calculate transport extinction budgets is demonstrated for the three visibility groups.