Difference between revisions of "AQ Scenario for AIP 2008 CFP"

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[[GEOSS_AIP_AQ_Scenario |<Back to AQ Pilot Scenario Workspace]]<br>
 
[[GEOSS_AIP_AQ_Scenario |<Back to AQ Pilot Scenario Workspace]]<br>
  
'''2.6.2 Air Quality and Health'''<br>
+
[[Media:AQ_2008_CFP.doc|'''Word Version of the Scenario''']]
In general, the air quality and health scenario envisions GEOSS facilitating two broad goals: building connections to facilitate movement of data between actors, and developing interoperable tools for intercomparison and fusion of a wide variety of atmospheric data. This scenario is consistent with GEO project HE-07-03: Integrated Atmospheric Pollution Monitoring, Modelling, and Forecasting in the [http://earthobservations.org/documents/wp0709_v4.pdf  GEO 2007-2009 Work Plan], and with the efforts of the [http://www.scgcorp.com/uic2007/docs/Hilsenrath-CEOS%20Virtual%20Constellation.pdf CEOS Atmospheric Composition Constellation]; the development of the [http://www.gmes.info/181.0.html GMES Atmospheric Service], and its planned extensions.
 
 
A number of the actors in the scenario have overlapping roles, and in reality the same individuals will serve several downstream decision makers. In fact, the common need for integrated atmospheric observations is a primary motivation for the structure of this scenario.  In describing how air quality and related earth observations could be used to inform a wide spectrum of decision making; three decision-making end users are featured: <br>
 
# A policy-maker, needing synthesized information on the importance of [http://wiki.esipfed.org/index.php/AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Assessment_of_International_and_Intercontinental_Transport_of_Air_Pollution#Assessment_of_International_and_Intercontinental_Transport_of_Air_Pollution intercontinental pollutant transport]
 
# An air quality compliance manager, who needs to assess whether a regional pollution event was caused by an "[http://wiki.esipfed.org/index.php/AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Exceptional_Event_analysis#Exceptional_Event_analysis exceptional event"]
 
# The public, needing information about [http://wiki.esipfed.org/index.php/AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Informing_the_public_and_the_health_sector_about_air_quality_in_real-time_or_near-real-time_and_future_forecasts_.28e.g._AIRNow.2C_AIRNow-International.2C_EPA.2FNational_Weather_Service_National_Air_Quality_Forecast_guidance.2C_PHASE.29 air quality now] and in the near future (via air quality forecasts) to make activity decisions
 
  
Since air pollution is affected by sources and processes over local, regional, intercontinental, and global scales understanding the causes of specific instances of air pollution and predicting air quality in any area therefore requires descriptions of atmospheric processes valid and useful on a wide range of scales. Given the wide variety of relevant observations at many scales, each of the above decisions ultimately needs an array of observations and models to describe the atmosphere. Earth observing data are needed from a wide variety of sources such as: ambient monitors, measuring the concentrations of pollutants near the ground; radiosondes and other instruments which profile an atmospheric column; chemical transport models; satellite measurements, which report either column densities of pollutants or, with limited vertical resolutions, 3-D fields; meteorological data and models; emissions data and models; and demographic and economic information.  These data sources, while considered necessary are significantly limited and not able to broadly document the state of the atmosphere. Therefore, synthetic fusion and intercomparison of the data will allow analysts to produce a far more complete and accurate description of the atmosphere than obtainable from any one data source, or any one class of data. There are a number of scientific approaches to this challenge, but the technical tools for intercomparison, fusion, and processing of air quality data are not operationally available.<br>
+
Since the scenario needs to be in this format, please edit the above document or send changes to David McCabe if you would prefer!
 
Therefore, this scenario a) documents actors' need for access to existing near-real time and historic information, which GEOSS will facilitate and b) describes needed integrated air quality information, which is not operationally available, but which could be facilitated with interoperable, service-oriented tools for data fusion and intercomparison that will be promoted by GEOSS. To describe the needed information and tools, the scenario also documents the upstream users, and the information they need, in the data value chain.<br>
 
 
A number of actors process earth observations information upstream of the decision makers, who base their decisions on highly synthesized data. These actors, shown below, have overlapping roles, and in reality the same individuals will serve several downstream decision makers. In fact, the common need for integrated atmospheric observations is a primary motivation for the structure of this scenario.
 
  
[[Image:Actor_Grid2.png|515px]]<br>
+
=2.6.2 Air Quality Scenario=
The actors and the earth observation information each desires are: Intercontinental Pollution Transport, Exceptional Pollution Event, and Member of the Public Planning Activities. The earth observations used in all three of the decision making information chains are: National, State/Provincial, Local Environmental Management Agencies, National Meteorological Agencies, National Space Agencies, National Land Management Agencies, Industry, Consultants, Academic and Other Research Institutes, and International cooperative fora (e.g.[http://www.wmo.int/pages/index_en.html WMO],[http://www.ceos.org/ CEOS],[http://www.eea.europa.eu/ EEA]). <br>
+
==Summary==
Information already available for the scenario events include: 1) meteorological data, such as observations from ground-based networks, satellites, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiosonde sondes]
 
, and forecasts from numerical models at the global and regional scales; 2) geographical data (land use, demographics, emissions-related activity, etc.); 3) atmospheric composition (air quality) observations such as surface monitoring networks, satellite observations ,[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiosonde sondes], ground-based remote sensors, and aircraft measurements; and 4) numerical air quality chemical transport models (at regional to global scales). <br>
 
  
To effectively address the scenario, the following processing and collaboration functionality should be considered: 1) facilities register all the components and services needed for the execution of the scenario, 2) convenient portals for finding, accessing, visualizing, and processing observational and modeling data by analysts in near real time and for historical analysis, 3) data sharing and integration functionality including the registry/catalog for finding resources, standard-based access to spatio-temporal data and metadata, and workflow software for integrating Service Components, 4) integration of multiple observational data sets to create rich 4-dimensional descriptions of the atmosphere to improve understanding of atmospheric processes, 5) comparison of observational data to numerical model estimates to improve numerical model descriptions of historical conditions (events or long-term trends), 6) real-time assimilation of observational data into numerical models to improve numerical forecasts, and 7) effective mechanisms for distributing (in near real time) maps/images, descriptive information, and processed data health, emergency response, and air quality management authorities; to mass media; other research and assessment communities (e.g., health); and the general public. <br>
+
The air quality scenario envisions GEOSS facilitating two broad goals: building connections to facilitate movement of data between actors, and developing interoperable tools for intercomparison and fusion of a wide variety of atmospheric data.  This brief description of the scenario contains hyperlinks to a [[AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario|more detailed version of the scenario]].  
  
'''Scenario Events'''<br>
+
The scenario is focused on three end users:
The cyberinfrastructure envisioned by this scenario will enable analysts to combine wide range of air quality observations, models, and other information, which will ultimately be used to produce a broad range of decision support products for a number of different audiences.  The air quality and health scenario events include: [http://wiki.esipfed.org/index.php/AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Assessment_of_International_and_Intercontinental_Transport_of_Air_Pollution Assessment of International and Intercontinental Transport of Air Pollution], [http://wiki.esipfed.org/index.php/AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Exceptional_pollution_event Exceptional Event Analysis], and [http://wiki.esipfed.org/index.php/AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Informing_the_public_and_the_health_sector_about_air_quality_in_real-time_or_near-real-time_and_future_forecasts_.28e.g._AIRNow.2C_AIRNow-International.2C_EPA.2FNational_Weather_Service_National_Air Informing the Public and the Health Sector About Air Quality]. <br>
+
# A policy-maker, needing synthesized information on the importance of [[AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Assessment_of_International_and_Intercontinental_Transport_of_Air_Pollution|intercontinental pollutant transport]]
 +
# An air quality manager, who needs to assess whether a regional pollution event was caused by an "[[AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Exceptional_Event_analysis|exceptional event]]"
 +
# The public, needing information about [[AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Informing_the_public_and_the_health_sector_about_air_quality_in_real-time_or_near-real-time_and_future_forecasts_.28e.g._AIRNow.2C_AIRNow-International.2C_EPA.2FNational_Weather_Service_National_Air_Quality_Forecast_guidance.2C_PHASE.29 |air quality now]] and in the near future (via forecasts) to make activity decisions
  
Current projects (e.g. [http://airnow.gov AIRNow], AIRNow-International, [http://alg.umbc.edu/3D-AQS/ 3D-AQS], [http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/phase.htm PHASE], [http://www.ecmwf.int/research/EU_projects/GEMS/ GEMS], [http://idea.ssec.wisc.edu/ IDEA]) are significant building blocks along with the evolving data mediatiors (e.g. [http://datafed.net/ Datafed], [http://daac.gsfc.nasa.gov/techlab/giovanni/ GIOVANNI]of the needed networks and tools. As above, the actors will benefit from constructing linkages between data sources and tools, but also from development and linking tools to facilitate comparison of models, observations, and emissions information.   
+
While the scenario describes three distinct sets of end users, each depends upon common upstream actors and synthesized Earth observations. In fact, the common need for these synthesized atmospheric observations is a primary motivation for the structure of this scenario.   
  
  , and and other ongoing efforts.<br> <BR>
+
Given the wide variety of atmospheric processes at many scales, each of the above decisions needs an array of observations and models ([[#Information_already_available_for_the_scenario_events |listed below]]). Each type of data is significantly limited and not able to broadly document the state of the atmosphere. Synthetic fusion and intercomparison of the data will allow analysts to produce a far more complete and accurate description of the atmosphere than obtainable from any one type of data. There are a number of scientific approaches to this challenge, but technical tools for intercomparison, fusion, and processing of air quality data are not operationally available.<br>
 +
 
 +
This scenario is consistent with GEO project HE-07-03: Integrated Atmospheric Pollution Monitoring, Modelling, and Forecasting in the [http://earthobservations.org/documents/wp0709_v4.pdf  GEO 2007-2009 Work Plan], and with the efforts of the [http://www.scgcorp.com/uic2007/docs/Hilsenrath-CEOS%20Virtual%20Constellation.pdf CEOS Atmospheric Composition Constellation]; the development of the [http://www.gmes.info/181.0.html GMES Atmospheric Service], as well as other major international collaboration efforts.
 +
 
 +
==Context and pre-conditions==
 +
===Actors, and the information they need===
 +
 
 +
A number of actors process earth observations information upstream of the decision makers, who base their decisions on highly synthesized data. 
 +
 
 +
[[Image:AQ Architecture.png|500px]][[Image:AQ ActorValueChain.png|800px]]<br>
 +
 
 +
While presented here in a matrix, a number of these actors have overlapping roles, and the same individuals will serve several downstream decision makers.  Similarly, similar upstream information serves all of the end users in the scenario.  Actors are enumerated in more detail in the [[AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Actors in the scenario, and the information they need|full scenario]].
 +
 
 +
====Intercontinental pollution transport====
 +
 
 +
* '''End use decision maker:''' Policy maker negotiating an agreement on intercontinental pollutant transport
 +
** '''Information needed:''' Synthetic assessment reports quantifying the impact of long-range pollutant transport
 +
* '''Upstream information processor:''' Scientific advisory group 
 +
** '''Information needed:''' Technical assessments of model experiments and synthesized datasets to assess transport
 +
* '''Upstream information processor:''' Scientific task force assessing long-range transport 
 +
** '''Information needed:''' Synthetic description of the atmosphere, using multiple observations and models
 +
* '''Upstream information processor:''' Air quality data analysts 
 +
** '''Information needed:''' [[#Information_already_available_for_the_scenario_events |Wide variety of atmospheric observations]], ''synthetic integrations of this data''
 +
 
 +
====Exceptional pollution event====
 +
 
 +
* '''End use decision maker:''' Air quality manager assessing pollution event: is it an exceptional event?
 +
** '''Information needed:''' Assessment reports which quantify the impact of transport on the region for that period
 +
* '''Upstream information processor:''' Air quality data analysts 
 +
** '''Information needed:''' [[#Information_already_available_for_the_scenario_events |Wide variety of atmospheric observations]], ''synthetic integrations of this data''
 +
 
 +
====Member of the public planning activities====
 +
 
 +
* '''End use decision maker:''' Member of the public
 +
** '''Information needed:''' Air Quality Index or similar health-based index for the local area
 +
* '''Upstream information processor:''' Air quality forecasters / data collectors 
 +
** '''Information needed:''' [[#Information_already_available_for_the_scenario_events |Wide variety of atmospheric observations]], ''synthetic integrations of this data''
 +
 
 +
====Earth observations providers====
 +
Most of these earth observations are used in all three of the decision making information chains. 
 +
* Government agencies (National, State/Provincial/Tribal, and/or Local):
 +
** Environmental, Meteorological, Land management, Space agencies
 +
* Industry, Consultants
 +
* Academic and Other Research Institutes
 +
* International cooperative fora (e.g. [http://www.wmo.int/pages/index_en.html WMO], [http://www.ceos.org/ CEOS], [http://www.eea.europa.eu/ EEA], ...)
 +
 
 +
===Information already available for the scenario events===
 +
# meteorological data, such as observations from ground-based networks, satellites, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiosonde sondes], and forecasts from numerical models at the global and regional scales
 +
# geographical data (land use, demographics, emissions-related activity, etc.)
 +
# atmospheric composition (air quality) observations such as surface monitoring networks, satellite observations, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiosonde sondes], ground-based remote sensors, and aircraft measurements
 +
# numerical air quality chemical transport models (at regional to global scales)
 +
 
 +
===Specific processing and collaboration functionality needed===
 +
# Community Catalog(s) for registering data and services to be harvested by the GEOSS Clearinghouse 
 +
# Community Portal(s) for finding, accessing the data and services needed for the execution of the scenario,
 +
# Functionality for standard-based access to spatio-temporal data and metadata, and workflow software for for service orchestration
 +
# Community of Practice Workspace(s) where the actors in the scenario can communicate and coordinate their activities.
 +
 
 +
Additional functionality and facilities specific to the Air Quality Scenario should include tools for visualizing, and processing observational and modeling data for near real time and for historical analysis.  These tools should facilitate:
 +
# Integration of multiple observational data sets to create rich n-dimensional descriptions of the atmosphere to improve understanding of atmospheric processes;
 +
# Comparison of observational data to numerical model estimates to improve numerical model descriptions of historical conditions (events or long-term trends);
 +
# Real-time assimilation of observational data into numerical models to improve numerical forecasts;
 +
# Effective mechanisms for distributing (in near real time) maps/images, descriptive information, and processed data health, emergency response, and air quality management authorities; to mass media; other research and assessment communities (e.g., health); and the general public. <br>
 +
 
 +
==Scenario Events==
 +
The cyberinfrastructure envisioned by this scenario will enable analysts to combine wide range of air quality observations, models, and other information, which will ultimately be used to produce a broad range of decision support products for a number of different audiences.  The air quality and health scenario events include: [http://wiki.esipfed.org/index.php/AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Assessment_of_International_and_Intercontinental_Transport_of_Air_Pollution Assessment of International and Intercontinental Transport of Air Pollution], [http://wiki.esipfed.org/index.php/AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Exceptional_pollution_event Exceptional Event Analysis], and [http://wiki.esipfed.org/index.php/AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Informing_the_public_and_the_health_sector_about_air_quality_in_real-time_or_near-real-time_and_future_forecasts_.28e.g._AIRNow.2C_AIRNow-International.2C_EPA.2FNational_Weather_Service_National_Air Informing the Public and the Health Sector About Air Quality]. Current projects (e.g. [http://airnow.gov AIRNow], AIRNow-International, [http://alg.umbc.edu/3D-AQS/ 3D-AQS], [http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/phase.htm PHASE], [http://www.ecmwf.int/research/EU_projects/GEMS/ GEMS], [http://idea.ssec.wisc.edu/ IDEA]) are significant building blocks along with the evolving data mediatiors (e.g. [http://datafed.net/ Datafed], [http://daac.gsfc.nasa.gov/techlab/giovanni/ GIOVANNI]of the needed networks and tools. As above, the actors will benefit from constructing linkages between data sources and tools, but also from development and linking tools to facilitate comparison of models, observations, and emissions information.
 +
 
 +
===[[AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Assessment_of_International_and_Intercontinental_Transport_of_Air_Pollution|Assessment of International and Intercontinental Transport of Air Pollution]]===
 +
 
 +
Assessment of long range pollutant transport is currently underway by [[AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Assessment_of_International_and_Intercontinental_Transport_of_Air_Pollution|several bodies]].  GEOSS can assist these efforts be by:
 +
* [http://www.htap.org/10_2007/presentations/thursday/27_husar_071016_HTAP%20Juelich2.pdf '''constructing linkages'''] between the various databases and other existing air quality-related data hubs
 +
* '''developing and linking tools''' to facilitate comparison of models, observations, and emissions data.  Such visualization and analysis tools should build upon existing tools.
 +
 
 +
These capabilities are used to form a more complete and accurate description of the atmosphere than currently available from any one type of atmospheric observation.  Researchers will use these datasets and models to quantitatively assess the importance of long-range pollutant transport.  Research efforts will then be compiled into a detailed assessment report.  An executive summary of this report will be delivered to policymakers to inform their decision making process, as international conventions consider initiatives to address long range pollutant transport.
 +
 
 +
The connectivity and tools developed as part of this effort will be applicable to model evaluation and analysis at the regional scale as well, ultimately benefiting a large community of air quality managers and researchers.
 +
 
 +
===[[AIP_AQ_Unified_Scenario#Exceptional_Event_analysis|Exceptional Event analysis]]===
 +
Air quality is periodically influenced by natural and anthropogenic events, such as wildfires and dust storms.  For regulatory purposes, pollution episodes can be flagged as 'exceptional events' if an area would not have exceeded the pollution standard without the occurrence of a an uncontrollable and unusual natural or anthropogenic event. 
 +
 
 +
An event might be obvious or subtle, so the impetus to examine a given event could come air quality managers or the wider community.  Analysts at air management agencies or elsewhere would use models and ambient and satellite observations to identify potential events.  Once an event is proposed, relevant data is compiled from those data sources to explore the origin and evolution of the pollution, with data and developing analysis shared in a virtual workspace.  Synthesizing data from the various sources, analysts quantify the effect of the event on the receptor regions, and then compile this information into a report submitted to air quality managers.
 +
 
 +
Current projects are significant building blocks of the needed networks and tools.  As above, the actors will benefit from constructing linkages between data sources and tools, and from developing and linking tools to facilitate comparison of models, observations, and emissions information.

Latest revision as of 11:26, June 4, 2008

<Back to AQ Pilot Scenario Workspace

Word Version of the Scenario

Since the scenario needs to be in this format, please edit the above document or send changes to David McCabe if you would prefer!

2.6.2 Air Quality Scenario

Summary

The air quality scenario envisions GEOSS facilitating two broad goals: building connections to facilitate movement of data between actors, and developing interoperable tools for intercomparison and fusion of a wide variety of atmospheric data. This brief description of the scenario contains hyperlinks to a more detailed version of the scenario.

The scenario is focused on three end users:

  1. A policy-maker, needing synthesized information on the importance of intercontinental pollutant transport
  2. An air quality manager, who needs to assess whether a regional pollution event was caused by an "exceptional event"
  3. The public, needing information about air quality now and in the near future (via forecasts) to make activity decisions

While the scenario describes three distinct sets of end users, each depends upon common upstream actors and synthesized Earth observations. In fact, the common need for these synthesized atmospheric observations is a primary motivation for the structure of this scenario.

Given the wide variety of atmospheric processes at many scales, each of the above decisions needs an array of observations and models (listed below). Each type of data is significantly limited and not able to broadly document the state of the atmosphere. Synthetic fusion and intercomparison of the data will allow analysts to produce a far more complete and accurate description of the atmosphere than obtainable from any one type of data. There are a number of scientific approaches to this challenge, but technical tools for intercomparison, fusion, and processing of air quality data are not operationally available.

This scenario is consistent with GEO project HE-07-03: Integrated Atmospheric Pollution Monitoring, Modelling, and Forecasting in the GEO 2007-2009 Work Plan, and with the efforts of the CEOS Atmospheric Composition Constellation; the development of the GMES Atmospheric Service, as well as other major international collaboration efforts.

Context and pre-conditions

Actors, and the information they need

A number of actors process earth observations information upstream of the decision makers, who base their decisions on highly synthesized data.

AQ Architecture.pngAQ ActorValueChain.png

While presented here in a matrix, a number of these actors have overlapping roles, and the same individuals will serve several downstream decision makers. Similarly, similar upstream information serves all of the end users in the scenario. Actors are enumerated in more detail in the full scenario.

Intercontinental pollution transport

  • End use decision maker: Policy maker negotiating an agreement on intercontinental pollutant transport
    • Information needed: Synthetic assessment reports quantifying the impact of long-range pollutant transport
  • Upstream information processor: Scientific advisory group
    • Information needed: Technical assessments of model experiments and synthesized datasets to assess transport
  • Upstream information processor: Scientific task force assessing long-range transport
    • Information needed: Synthetic description of the atmosphere, using multiple observations and models
  • Upstream information processor: Air quality data analysts

Exceptional pollution event

  • End use decision maker: Air quality manager assessing pollution event: is it an exceptional event?
    • Information needed: Assessment reports which quantify the impact of transport on the region for that period
  • Upstream information processor: Air quality data analysts

Member of the public planning activities

  • End use decision maker: Member of the public
    • Information needed: Air Quality Index or similar health-based index for the local area
  • Upstream information processor: Air quality forecasters / data collectors

Earth observations providers

Most of these earth observations are used in all three of the decision making information chains.

  • Government agencies (National, State/Provincial/Tribal, and/or Local):
    • Environmental, Meteorological, Land management, Space agencies
  • Industry, Consultants
  • Academic and Other Research Institutes
  • International cooperative fora (e.g. WMO, CEOS, EEA, ...)

Information already available for the scenario events

  1. meteorological data, such as observations from ground-based networks, satellites, sondes, and forecasts from numerical models at the global and regional scales
  2. geographical data (land use, demographics, emissions-related activity, etc.)
  3. atmospheric composition (air quality) observations such as surface monitoring networks, satellite observations, sondes, ground-based remote sensors, and aircraft measurements
  4. numerical air quality chemical transport models (at regional to global scales)

Specific processing and collaboration functionality needed

  1. Community Catalog(s) for registering data and services to be harvested by the GEOSS Clearinghouse
  2. Community Portal(s) for finding, accessing the data and services needed for the execution of the scenario,
  3. Functionality for standard-based access to spatio-temporal data and metadata, and workflow software for for service orchestration
  4. Community of Practice Workspace(s) where the actors in the scenario can communicate and coordinate their activities.

Additional functionality and facilities specific to the Air Quality Scenario should include tools for visualizing, and processing observational and modeling data for near real time and for historical analysis. These tools should facilitate:

  1. Integration of multiple observational data sets to create rich n-dimensional descriptions of the atmosphere to improve understanding of atmospheric processes;
  2. Comparison of observational data to numerical model estimates to improve numerical model descriptions of historical conditions (events or long-term trends);
  3. Real-time assimilation of observational data into numerical models to improve numerical forecasts;
  4. Effective mechanisms for distributing (in near real time) maps/images, descriptive information, and processed data health, emergency response, and air quality management authorities; to mass media; other research and assessment communities (e.g., health); and the general public.

Scenario Events

The cyberinfrastructure envisioned by this scenario will enable analysts to combine wide range of air quality observations, models, and other information, which will ultimately be used to produce a broad range of decision support products for a number of different audiences. The air quality and health scenario events include: Assessment of International and Intercontinental Transport of Air Pollution, Exceptional Event Analysis, and Informing the Public and the Health Sector About Air Quality. Current projects (e.g. AIRNow, AIRNow-International, 3D-AQS, PHASE, GEMS, IDEA) are significant building blocks along with the evolving data mediatiors (e.g. Datafed, GIOVANNIof the needed networks and tools. As above, the actors will benefit from constructing linkages between data sources and tools, but also from development and linking tools to facilitate comparison of models, observations, and emissions information.

Assessment of International and Intercontinental Transport of Air Pollution

Assessment of long range pollutant transport is currently underway by several bodies. GEOSS can assist these efforts be by:

  • constructing linkages between the various databases and other existing air quality-related data hubs
  • developing and linking tools to facilitate comparison of models, observations, and emissions data. Such visualization and analysis tools should build upon existing tools.

These capabilities are used to form a more complete and accurate description of the atmosphere than currently available from any one type of atmospheric observation. Researchers will use these datasets and models to quantitatively assess the importance of long-range pollutant transport. Research efforts will then be compiled into a detailed assessment report. An executive summary of this report will be delivered to policymakers to inform their decision making process, as international conventions consider initiatives to address long range pollutant transport.

The connectivity and tools developed as part of this effort will be applicable to model evaluation and analysis at the regional scale as well, ultimately benefiting a large community of air quality managers and researchers.

Exceptional Event analysis

Air quality is periodically influenced by natural and anthropogenic events, such as wildfires and dust storms. For regulatory purposes, pollution episodes can be flagged as 'exceptional events' if an area would not have exceeded the pollution standard without the occurrence of a an uncontrollable and unusual natural or anthropogenic event.

An event might be obvious or subtle, so the impetus to examine a given event could come air quality managers or the wider community. Analysts at air management agencies or elsewhere would use models and ambient and satellite observations to identify potential events. Once an event is proposed, relevant data is compiled from those data sources to explore the origin and evolution of the pollution, with data and developing analysis shared in a virtual workspace. Synthesizing data from the various sources, analysts quantify the effect of the event on the receptor regions, and then compile this information into a report submitted to air quality managers.

Current projects are significant building blocks of the needed networks and tools. As above, the actors will benefit from constructing linkages between data sources and tools, and from developing and linking tools to facilitate comparison of models, observations, and emissions information.