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MEASUREMENT OF RURAL SULFUR DIOXIDE AND PARTICLE SULFATE: ANALYSIS OF CASTNET DATA, 1987 - 1996
Citation:
Baumgardner, R E., S. Isil, K. Fitzgerald, AND J. Bowser. MEASUREMENT OF RURAL SULFUR DIOXIDE AND PARTICLE SULFATE: ANALYSIS OF CASTNET DATA, 1987 - 1996. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION 49:1266-1279, (1999).
Impact/Purpose:
Our main objective is to assess the exposure of selected ecosystems to specific atmospheric stressors. More precisely, we will analyze and interpret environmental quality (primarily atmospheric) data to document observable changes in environmental stressors that may be associated with legislatively-mandated emissions reductions.
Description:
The Clean Sir Status and Trends Network (CASTNet) was implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1991 in response to Title IX of the Clean Air Amendments of 1990, which mandated the deployment of a national ambient air monitoring network to track progress of the implementation of emission reduction programs in terms of deposition, air quality, and changes to affected ecosystems. CASTNet evolved from the National Dry Deposition Network (NDDN).
CASTNet currently consists of 45 sites in the eastern United States and 28 sites in the West. Each site measures sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitric acid (HNO3), particle sulfate (SO4), particle nitrate (NO3), and ozone. Nineteen sites collect precipitation samples. NDDN/CASTNet uses a uniform set of site-selection criteria which provides the data user with consistent measures to compare each site. These criteria also ensure that, to the extent possible. CASTNet sites are located away from local emission sources.