Description:

The goal of this project is to demonstrate innovative methods for providing timely reporting of the spatial and temporal distribution of air pollutants in a heavily industrialized urban community. This methodology will utilize data from real-time measurements of meteorological parameters and concentrations of air pollutants, atmospheric dispersion models (ADMs), and a Geographic Information System (GIS) to map the spatial distributions of selected air pollutants. We also propose to link data from atmospheric dispersion models for Commerce City with similar data from dispersion models and fenceline monitors from Rocky Mountain Arsenal (RMA) Superfund cleanup operations. Simultaneous modeling of the spatial distribution of releases from the RMA and Commerce City sources will help clarify the sources of contaminants and provide timely information for citizens concerned about exposures from RMA. We believe that this project will provide a set of tools for the Commerce City Community to use for monitoring and assessing air quality with real-time and timely environmental measurements.

URLs/Downloads:

2001 Progress Report

martyny.html

Final Progress Report

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT( ABSTRACT )

Start Date:01/01/2001

Completion Date:12/31/2002

Record ID: 52497

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Related Organizations:

Role :OWNER

Organization Name :METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER

Mailing Address :P.O. Box 173362

Citation :Denver

State :CO



Role :OWNER

Organization Name :UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER

Mailing Address :4200 E 9th Ave

Citation :Denver

State :CO

Zip Code :80262



Role :OWNER

Organization Name :UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO - BOULDER

Mailing Address :Campus Box 17

Citation :Boulder

State :CO

Zip Code :80309



Role :OWNER

Organization Name :TRI-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, CO

Mailing Address :7000 E Belleview Avenue #301

Citation :Englewood

State :CO

Zip Code :80111

Project Information:

Approach :

Researchers, GIS experts and air pollution modelers are beginning to combine resources for assessment of air pollution in urban airsheds. Given the ease with which such a linkage can be implemented, it is likely that this combination will become a powerful tool for delineating spatial gradients of urban air toxics from multiple sources. Using the AERMOD dispersion model, concentrations of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, benzene, chromium and diesel particulates resulting from sources in Commerce City will be estimated. The dispersion model will be linked to a GIS database of emissions allowing emissions and the resulting concentrations to be modeled and displayed separately. Concentrations resulting from Commerce City sources will be superimposed with contributions from the remainder of the Denver airshed. The model-estimated concentrations will provide a useful complement to the air monitoring data that are currently collected and reported for the Denver metropolitan area. In addition to evaluating the model results with routine monitoring data, a limited air sampling program will be conducted for the purpose of evaluating the dispersion model predictions of spatial distribution of concentrations in Commerce City. Time-series of two to three hour average benzene concentrations will be measured at approximately 15 locations in Commerce City for use in evaluation and updating of the dispersion model estimates. A Web Site will be designed to deliver the resulting maps of air pollution rapidly so that the Commerce City community can correlate their perceptions of air quality with modeled and measured data. In addition, a major effort will be made to present the resultant data and Web Site to the Community. This will employ the already well-established network of community organizations that already exists in the Project area with a major effort at involving the local school system.

Cost :$400,000.00

Research Component :Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration

Project IDs:

ID Code :R828577

Project type :EPA Grant