Visual Correlation between Air Pollution and Population Density in Major Metropolitan Areas Texas A&M University, Department of Civil Engineering, Applications of GIS, Instructor: Francisco Olivera, Student: Tim Schniedwind, Spring 2003Legend: Los Angeles Census Bureau 1999 Population Estimate for Metropolitan Area: 16 Million Characterization: Many freeways known for heavy congestion, and associated with smog Chicago Census Bureau 1999 Population Estimate for Metropolitan Area: 9 Million Characterization: Mass Transit via L-train, Many chemical plants located in nearby Gary, Indiana Houston Census Bureau 1999 Population Estimate for Metropolitan Area: 4.5 Million Characterization: Extensive system of freeways, Lots of Petroleum Processing, Ozone Problems New York Census Bureau 1999 Population Estimate for Metropolitan Area: 20 Million Characterization: Known for its subway system and mass transportation. Highest population density Population Distribution Each Dot Represents 300 peopleEach Dot Represents 300 people Calculated Using Census Tract Data from 2000 CensusCalculated Using Census Tract Data from 2000 Census Ozone Max Primary NAAQS standard (Federal limit designed to protect human health):.125 PPM/hourPrimary NAAQS standard (Federal limit designed to protect human health):.125 PPM/hour Dots Represent Monitoring Stations for OzoneDots Represent Monitoring Stations for Ozone Units PPMUnits PPM NO2 mean Standard:.054 PPM/yearStandard:.054 PPM/year Dots Represent MonitorsDots Represent Monitors Units: PPMUnits: PPM No2 max Dots Represent MonitorsDots Represent Monitors Units PPMUnits PPM PM 10 mean Standard: 155mg/m3-dStandard: 155mg/m3-d Dots Represent MonitorsDots Represent Monitors Units: Mg/m^3Units: Mg/m^3 Pm 10 max Dots Represent MonitorsDots Represent Monitors Units Mg/m^3Units Mg/m^3 SO2 max Standard:.145 PPM/DStandard:.145 PPM/D Dots Represent MonitorsDots Represent Monitors Units PPMUnits PPM CO max Standard: 35.5 PPM/HStandard: 35.5 PPM/H Dots Represent MonitorsDots Represent Monitors Units PPMUnits PPM Types of Air Pollution Studied Ozone (O3): Formed when VOC’s react with NOx compounds in the presence of Sunlight., has human health effects even at low concentrations.Ozone (O3): Formed when VOC’s react with NOx compounds in the presence of Sunlight., has human health effects even at low concentrations. NO2: Nitrogen Dioxide, Helps for ozone, can have direct health impacts at high concentrationsNO2: Nitrogen Dioxide, Helps for ozone, can have direct health impacts at high concentrations SO2: Sulfur Dioxide, Produced by fuels containing sulfur (including gasoline). Contributor to Acid RainSO2: Sulfur Dioxide, Produced by fuels containing sulfur (including gasoline). Contributor to Acid Rain PM 10: A measure of Particulate Matter greater than 10 microns in size. These size particles cannot absorb into lungs, but can serve as indication of general concentrations of other small particlesPM 10: A measure of Particulate Matter greater than 10 microns in size. These size particles cannot absorb into lungs, but can serve as indication of general concentrations of other small particles CO: Carbon Monoxide, Is the most abundant pollution in terms of weight, has human health effects.CO: Carbon Monoxide, Is the most abundant pollution in terms of weight, has human health effects. Study Area Impacts Fast growing medium sized metropolitan areas are faced with Urban Planning Decisions related to how they are going to grow. The types of decisions they face include choosing whether to expand roads vs. establishing mass transportation, and setting up zoning laws and other restrictions to restrict growth or encourage a certain population density. One thing they must evaluate is how the decisions they make could affect Air Pollution. Air Pollution Impacts Air Pollution has short term and long term effects. It can cause adverse health effects for those that breathe it in. In addition all pollution eventually either goes up or comes down. Either way it can result in environmental problems such as Acid Rain and changes in the chemical makeup of the upper atmosphere. Notes on how Surfaces were Calculated Max Data uses 1 Hour Averages from the monitoring sites. Mean Data uses Annual Averages Max Data was calculated using 2nd highest measured value for Ozone, PM10, and NO2 Max Data was calculated using highest value for CO, SO2 Inverse Distance Weighting was the algorithm used calculate surfaces. Inverse Distance Weighting : for each spot on the surface the value is calculated using 12 closest points. The calculation is done by weighting the input of the surrounding points based on the square of the distance from the spot being calculated These are Interpolated Surfaces and as such limited conclusions can be drawn from them The fewer the measuring stations around an area the greater the likelihood of inaccuracy