Ecosystems Impact of Air Pollution
This page last reviewed November 20, 2014
Acid Deposition
Scientific evidence in other parts of the world has shown that
atmospheric deposition of sulfur and nitrogen compounds can cause harm
to the environment and, thus, may present a threat to California's
ecosystems and the health of its citizens. To adequately address this
serious concern, the causes and effects of acid deposition in
California were studied in two comprehensive State-funded monitoring
and research programs.
Lake Tahoe Atmospheric Deposition Study - LTADS (ARB, TRPA, Lahontan, TRG, UCD, UCB)
Lake Tahoe is a beautiful lake ringed by mountains; it is also the
second deepest lake in the U.S. and the tenth deepest in the world.
This unique alpine lake is world-renowned for its rich blue color. The
unique color of the lake is due to its high altitude and pristine water
clarity. Objects more than 100 feet deep could be seen through the
water. The water clarity
is so good because 40 percent of the precipitation within the Lake
Tahoe watershed falls directly on the lake; furthermore, the remaining
precipitation in the Basin drains through granitic soil, which is
relatively nutrient sterile and filters material. However, the water
clarity of this once pristine lake, with 63 tributaries draining into
and only one draining out of the lake, has been declining. Between the
mid-1960s and the mid-1990s, the water clarity has decreased from 100
feet to 65 feet, a decrease averaging over one foot per year! Data for
recent years suggest an improvement but additional study is needed to
clearly understand the factors impacting water clarity and to ensure
environmental thresholds are attained. Increasing inputs of
biologically accessible forms of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) cause
algal growth in the lake, which is a major factor in the decline of
water clarity. The focus of this study is better quantification of the
direct atmospheric deposition of nutrients (P & N) and
particulate matter (PM). The nutrients can be deposited as gases,
particles, or soluble ions in rain and snow. The study will also
address the relative contribution of local (within basin) and regional
(transport into the basin) sources of nutrients and PM.
- Lake Tahoe Atmospheric Deposition Study Seminar Agenda
- Lake Tahoe Atmospheric Deposition Study Presentation
Climate Change Program (California Energy Commission ).
On October 13, 2001, Governor Davis signed Senate Bill 527 (SB 527)
into law. This bill requires the Commission to provide guidance to the
Registry on a number of issues, including developing GHG emissions
protocols, qualifying third-party organizations to provide technical
assistance, and qualifying third-party organizations to provide
certification of emissions baselines and inventories.
As an initial step in fulfilling these requirements, the Commission
will hold this public consultation meeting to discuss the
implementation of SB 527. At the meeting, the Commission staff and
others will present the requirements of SB 527, a Registry overview, an
overview of existing GHG protocols and programs, key activities to be
undertaken to implement SB 527, and the proposed timetable for those
activities. During the meeting, participants will also
have opportunities to discuss roles of the various stakeholders, and
key topics and issues in developing the guidance.
CLIMATE CHANGE PROGRAM WORKSHOP
BIOGENIC WORKING GROUP
California's complex Ecosystems interact with emissions related to
human activity and substantially Impact Air Pollution photochemistry.
Flora, desert species, Oaks, and Pines emit substantial amounts of
highly reactive organic hydrocarbons. There is a complex and non-linear
relationship between human activity nitrogen oxides emissions and these
Biogenic emissions. This relationship is critical to the determine how
we advise decision-makers about how much control of human activity
nitrogen oxides California should require. It is thus critical to
provide accurate estimates of Biogenic emissions. The mission of
Biogenic Working Group is to develop reliable simulations for these
emissions.
BIOGENIC WORKING GROUP
BIOGENIC AEROSOLS
Certain Biogenic emissions also produce Aerosols. We believe that a
significant amount of the aerosol load in California is in the form of
these Secondary Organic Aerosols of Biogenic Origin. To devise an
aerosol control program we need to determine the effect of emissions
from human activity and land disturbances on the aerosol load in
comparison to the Biogenic particulate matter load. Further, emissions
from human activity may interact with Biogenic emissions to magnify
negative health effects. Our research program in this area is nascent.
We have begun a new project with UC Berkeley to study this problem.
TRACE GAS BIOGEOCHEMISTRY LAB UC BERKELEY
AEROALLERGENS (BIOALLERGENS)
Biogenic emissions include aeroallergens, such as pollens and mold
spores. In California there is a broad range of grasses, weeds, and
trees, both native and introduced, that use airborne pollination to
reproduce. Similarly molds, growing both indoors and outdoors, produce
spores which often have allergenic properties. Such biogenic emissions
may interact with air pollution from human or geologic activity to
cause health problems in respiratory compromised people, especially
asthma sufferers who also have allergic symptoms. The following web
sites are provided as links for more information about aeroallergens.
FIRE & VISIBILITY
Flora in California often germinate in high heat natural fires. Fire is
a necessary fact of Natural and Agricultural Ecosystems in California.
These Biogenic Aerosols and Fire Emissions form health effects aerosols
and reduce visibility. United States Congress and California
legislature have required us to devise programs that protect wild lands
visibility.
Cal/EPA, California Department of Forestry and United States Forest
Service and others have significant research programs in fire emission
estimation and simulation. Our visibility research program is however
nascent.
FIRE & RESOURCES ASSESSMENT PROGRAM CAL DEPT. FORESTRY
TREES & AIR QUALITY (NET EFFECTS)
As it is clear, interaction of Ecosystems with Air Pollution includes
complex emission processes, there are also complex deposition and
removal processes. We have explored ozone deposition in a complex study
in San Joaquin Valley. Dry deposition of aerosols and gases on the vast
surfaces of the leaves and needles of California flora are otherwise
largely unexplored. After senescence, detritus of leaves and needles
decomposing emit organic gases to the atmosphere that are largely
unexplored as well. Rain creates wet deposition events taking
atmospheric gases as well as deposited gases and aerosols on leaves and
needles into the water compartment. These wet deposition events are
largely unexplored. These are Net Effects issues and our research
program is nascent in this area. Accumulated information on effects
of vegetation on trees is however available.
EVENTS
Biogenic Day on July 11th, 2001 - Three presentations on ecosystem effects from Dr. Arthur Winer, Dr. Allen Goldstein, and Dr. John Karlik.
3th and 14th, 2000 (PDF - 61KB )
Biogenic Research Symposium on December 9th to 10th, 1999
(PDF - 34KB )
For further information, please contact: Ash Lashgari at (916) 323-1506.