Atmospheric Environment. Part A. General Topics, 1990
Abstract~urrent knowledge regarding deposition of atmospheric pollutants to mountain ecosystems i... more Abstract~urrent knowledge regarding deposition of atmospheric pollutants to mountain ecosystems is reviewed, focusing on the mountains of eastern North America. Despite a general paucity of published data on the subject, some generalizations emerge. Wet deposition (i.e. precipitation input) of SO 2-, NO 3' H + and Pb tends to increase with elevation, primarily because of the orographic increase in precipitation amount. Cloud water deposition of these substances can be very significant for mountain forests, but is highly variable spatially because of its strong dependence on wind speed, cloud characteristics, and vegetation canopy structure, which are all heterogeneously distributed. Dry deposition has not been quantified sufficiently to draw empirical generalizations, but the processes involved are discussed with regard to expected elevational trends. Based on the few studies in which total annual deposition (wet, dry, plus cloud water inputs for an entire year) has been measured, it appears that some high-elevation sites in the Appalachian Mountains receive substantially more SO 2-, NO~, and H ÷ deposition than do typical lowelevation sites. The amount of elevational increase depends largely on the amount of cloud water deposition at the mountain site. Data from two clusters of sites in the northern Appalachians indicate that total deposition of SO42-, NO ~ and H + to mountaintop sites is typically 3-7 times greater than deposition to nearby lowland sites. Similarly, some studies of Pb accumulation in organic soil horizons suggest a two-to four-fold increase from lowlands to mountaintops. Deposition in mountain areas can be highly variable over short distances because of the patchiness of meteorological conditions and vegetation canopy characteristics, and also because exposed trees and forest edges can receive deposition loads much higher than the landscape average. Night-time and early-morning 03 concentrations are greater at high-elevation than at low-elevation sites. Daytime 03 levels are equal or slightly higher at high-elevation sites. Additional studies are suggested which would allow better characterization of pollutant exposure along elevational gradients.
An Overview of Acid Rain Monitoring Activities in North America
Bulletin of The American Meteorological Society, 1982
The various forms of acidic components that may be deposited from the atmosphere are reviewed. Th... more The various forms of acidic components that may be deposited from the atmosphere are reviewed. These components are classified into three categories: wet deposition (rain and snow), dry deposition (particles and gases), and special events (dews, frosts, and fogs).The wet deposition or precipitation component of the acid rain problem is emphasized, since most current monitoring activities are conducted in this
Predicting ozone-induced soybean losses: Sensitivity to model form and inputs
Environmental Pollution, 1988
In this study, alternative dose-response equations for assessing the effects of O3 on soybeans (G... more In this study, alternative dose-response equations for assessing the effects of O3 on soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) were established. For each of three soybean cultivars, three models (linear, quadratic, and Weibull) were fitted to relate different measures of O3 dose, during the soybean flowering maturity period, to the soybean yield. The dose measures were 7-h (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and 12-h (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) means, 7-h and 12-h total doses, and the 90th and 75th percentile O3 concentrations. Using data for primarily rural and small city O3 monitoring sites, county-level O3 doses were calculated, and soybean losses due to O3 were predicted for Illinois, Kentucky, and Virginia. The sensitivity of O3-induced soybean loss predictions to model forms and inputs was determined with regard to: (1) inter-year differences in ambient O3, (2) differences among the six dose measures, (3) differences among the three different model forms, (4) the impact of the agricultural practice of double-cropped soybean production, and (5) variance in response to O3 among three different soybean cultivars.
The CAIR Vacatur Raises Uncertainty In the Power Generation Industry
EM, 2008
Description/Abstract On 11 July 2008, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued... more Description/Abstract On 11 July 2008, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued a unanimous decision vacating the entire Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and the associated federal implementation plan. The upset of this program to reduce power plant ...
Stakeholder Perspectives on the Clean Air Interstate and the Clean Air Mercury Rules
EM-Environmental …, 2005
In a follow-up to last month's detailed overviews of the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) an... more In a follow-up to last month's detailed overviews of the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR), this month EM presents perspectives on the two rules from representatives of a range of stakeholders, including EPA, the states, the regulated ...
Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association, 1984
Acid deposition research funded by the private sector since 1980 is reviewed. Types of studies (e... more Acid deposition research funded by the private sector since 1980 is reviewed. Types of studies (e.g., atmospheric processes, emissions and monitoring, environmental effects) supported by the private sector during this period are overviewed. The specific industries/organizations (e.g., electric utility industry, environmental interest groups) funding reserach during 1980-1982 are discussed, with relation to the number of studies supported and funds (by
Maps of both volume-weighted mean pH and mean H + deposition in precipitation were developed for ... more Maps of both volume-weighted mean pH and mean H + deposition in precipitation were developed for the continental United States and Canada using data from 12 precipitation chemistry monitoring networks. The maps were constructed using 1981-1982 laboratory pH data from approximately 130 monitoring sites. The area of greatest acidity (lowest pH/highest H ÷ deposition) is located in the northern Ohio Valley and southeastern Ontario, an area corresponding to high SOx and NOx emissions.
The electric power industry and federal regulations affecting air emissions
2006 IEEE Power Engineering Society General Meeting, 2006
Summary form only given. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued regulations di... more Summary form only given. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued regulations directly restricting electric power emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury and to address visual air quality. These regulations - the Clean Air Interstate Rule, the Clean Air Mercury Rule, and the Clean Air Visibility Rule - will together force national power sector emissions to be reduced by two-thirds. Such reductions are in addition to the 40 percent reductions in these emissions already achieved by the industry at the national level. This panel presentation discusses these programs plus EPA's New Source Review regulations. Also to be addressed are the status of state implementation and legal review of these regulations. The author discusses efforts by some states to implementing stricter versions of the rules or to limit flexibility provisions such as emission trading. The stringency and timing of emission reductions influence installation of control technologies, fuel use, costs and the reliability of electric generation. The U.S. Congress has the opportunity to enact legislation which would increase certainty while improving environmental and benefits and lowering costs of compliance
In addition to being scientifically exciting, commercially important, and environmentally essenti... more In addition to being scientifically exciting, commercially important, and environmentally essential, temperate forests have also become a key diplomatic item in international climate negotiations as potential sinks for carbon. This review presents the methods used to estimate carbon sequestration, identifies the constraints and opportunities for carbon sequestration in temperate forests, addresses the issues raised by the monitoring of carbon sequestration,
Policy Considerations for Using Forests to Mitigate Carbon Dioxide Emissions
The Scientific World JOURNAL, 2001
A recent article in Nature, "Soil Fertility Limits Carbon Sequestration by Forest Ecosys... more A recent article in Nature, "Soil Fertility Limits Carbon Sequestration by Forest Ecosystems in a CO2-Enriched Atmosphere" by Oren and colleagues, has been widely reported on, and often misinterpreted, by the press. The article dampens enthusiasm for accelerated forest growth due to CO2 fertilization and puts in question the fringe theory that the world"s forests can provide an automatic mitigation feedback. We agree that these results increase our understanding of the global carbon cycle. At the same time, their relevance in the context of the international climate change negotiations is much more complicated than portrayed by newspapers such as the New York Times ("Role of Trees in Curbing Greenhouse Gases is Challenged", May 24, 2001) and the Christian Science Monitor ("Trees No Savior for Global Warming", May 25, 2001).
In the near future regulations could be imposed affecting emissions of CO 2 and other greenhouse ... more In the near future regulations could be imposed affecting emissions of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases. Carbon offsets should be a component of any such regime. This paper addresses: 1) international and domestic policy actions related to C offset forestry, including the United Nations' Framework Convention on Climate Change and the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 1992; 2) forestry-related efforts sponsored by U.S. electric utilities to sequester and store C, protect and manage forests, and conserve energy in urban environments; 3) considerations for implementing such efforts; and 4) electric utility industry research and development on advanced methods to use biomass as fuel.
The impact of managing biomass specifically for the conservation or production of energy can beco... more The impact of managing biomass specifically for the conservation or production of energy can become a significant factor in the global management of atmopsheric CO2 over the next century. This paper evaluates the global potential for: (1) conserving energy by using trees and wood for shading, shelterbelts, windbreaks, and construction material; and (2) increasing the use of biomass and improving its conversion efficiency for producing heat, electricity, and liquid biofuels. The potential reduction in CO2 emissions possible by the anticipated time of atmospheric CO2 doubling was estimated to be up to 50 x 106 t C yr -1 for energy conservation and as high as 4 x 109 t C yr -1 for energy production. Of the many opportunities, two stand out. Through afforestation of degraded and deforested lands, biomass energy production offers the potential of 0.36 to 1.9 x 109 t C yr -1 emission reduction. Dedicated energy crops, which include short-rotation woody crops, herbaceous energy crops, halophytes, some annual crops, and oilseeds, offer the potential of 0.2 to 1.0 x 109 t C yr -~ emission reduction. Also addressed in the paper, but not quantified, were establishment of new forests, increasing the productivity of existing forests, or protecting forests to sequester C as an offset against CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels or forest destruction. Also addressed are uncertainties, gaps in scientific knowledge about ecosystems and their management, and policy considerations at the international and national levels.
Electric utilities in the US have initiated forestry projects to conserve energy and to oset carb... more Electric utilities in the US have initiated forestry projects to conserve energy and to oset carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. In 1995, 40 companies raised US$2.5 million to establish the non-pro®t UtiliTree Carbon Company which is now sponsoring eight projects representing a mix of rural tree planting, forest preservation, forest management and research eorts at both domestic (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oregon) and international sites (Belize and Malaysia). The projects include extensive external veri®cation. Such forestry projects Ð properly documented, monitored and veri®ed Ð should be a component of domestic and international strategies to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, due to GHG bene®ts, cost-eectiveness and many other environmental bene®ts (e.g., related to habitat, erosion and biodiversity). These projects on average are projected to manage CO 2 at a cost of about US $1 per ton. Experts have determined through a series of technical workshops and projects that GHG bene®ts can be accurately quanti®ed for most types of forestry projects and, in fact, forestry projects in general present no greater challenges than energy-related projects. Near-term policy decision-making related to CO 2 management via forestry is discussed. 7
The economics of managing carbon via forestry: Assessment of existing studies
Environmental & Resource Economics, 1995
Over the past decade, there has been an ongoing discussion of the question of whether the earth i... more Over the past decade, there has been an ongoing discussion of the question of whether the earth is experiencing global warming or whether the precon-ditions for global warming are being met. It is widely agreed that the earth's atmosphere does generate a natural "greenhouse ...
Atmospheric Environment. Part A. General Topics, 1990
Abstract~urrent knowledge regarding deposition of atmospheric pollutants to mountain ecosystems i... more Abstract~urrent knowledge regarding deposition of atmospheric pollutants to mountain ecosystems is reviewed, focusing on the mountains of eastern North America. Despite a general paucity of published data on the subject, some generalizations emerge. Wet deposition (i.e. precipitation input) of SO 2-, NO 3' H + and Pb tends to increase with elevation, primarily because of the orographic increase in precipitation amount. Cloud water deposition of these substances can be very significant for mountain forests, but is highly variable spatially because of its strong dependence on wind speed, cloud characteristics, and vegetation canopy structure, which are all heterogeneously distributed. Dry deposition has not been quantified sufficiently to draw empirical generalizations, but the processes involved are discussed with regard to expected elevational trends. Based on the few studies in which total annual deposition (wet, dry, plus cloud water inputs for an entire year) has been measured, it appears that some high-elevation sites in the Appalachian Mountains receive substantially more SO 2-, NO~, and H ÷ deposition than do typical lowelevation sites. The amount of elevational increase depends largely on the amount of cloud water deposition at the mountain site. Data from two clusters of sites in the northern Appalachians indicate that total deposition of SO42-, NO ~ and H + to mountaintop sites is typically 3-7 times greater than deposition to nearby lowland sites. Similarly, some studies of Pb accumulation in organic soil horizons suggest a two-to four-fold increase from lowlands to mountaintops. Deposition in mountain areas can be highly variable over short distances because of the patchiness of meteorological conditions and vegetation canopy characteristics, and also because exposed trees and forest edges can receive deposition loads much higher than the landscape average. Night-time and early-morning 03 concentrations are greater at high-elevation than at low-elevation sites. Daytime 03 levels are equal or slightly higher at high-elevation sites. Additional studies are suggested which would allow better characterization of pollutant exposure along elevational gradients.
An Overview of Acid Rain Monitoring Activities in North America
Bulletin of The American Meteorological Society, 1982
The various forms of acidic components that may be deposited from the atmosphere are reviewed. Th... more The various forms of acidic components that may be deposited from the atmosphere are reviewed. These components are classified into three categories: wet deposition (rain and snow), dry deposition (particles and gases), and special events (dews, frosts, and fogs).The wet deposition or precipitation component of the acid rain problem is emphasized, since most current monitoring activities are conducted in this
Predicting ozone-induced soybean losses: Sensitivity to model form and inputs
Environmental Pollution, 1988
In this study, alternative dose-response equations for assessing the effects of O3 on soybeans (G... more In this study, alternative dose-response equations for assessing the effects of O3 on soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) were established. For each of three soybean cultivars, three models (linear, quadratic, and Weibull) were fitted to relate different measures of O3 dose, during the soybean flowering maturity period, to the soybean yield. The dose measures were 7-h (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and 12-h (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) means, 7-h and 12-h total doses, and the 90th and 75th percentile O3 concentrations. Using data for primarily rural and small city O3 monitoring sites, county-level O3 doses were calculated, and soybean losses due to O3 were predicted for Illinois, Kentucky, and Virginia. The sensitivity of O3-induced soybean loss predictions to model forms and inputs was determined with regard to: (1) inter-year differences in ambient O3, (2) differences among the six dose measures, (3) differences among the three different model forms, (4) the impact of the agricultural practice of double-cropped soybean production, and (5) variance in response to O3 among three different soybean cultivars.
The CAIR Vacatur Raises Uncertainty In the Power Generation Industry
EM, 2008
Description/Abstract On 11 July 2008, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued... more Description/Abstract On 11 July 2008, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued a unanimous decision vacating the entire Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and the associated federal implementation plan. The upset of this program to reduce power plant ...
Stakeholder Perspectives on the Clean Air Interstate and the Clean Air Mercury Rules
EM-Environmental …, 2005
In a follow-up to last month's detailed overviews of the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) an... more In a follow-up to last month's detailed overviews of the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR), this month EM presents perspectives on the two rules from representatives of a range of stakeholders, including EPA, the states, the regulated ...
Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association, 1984
Acid deposition research funded by the private sector since 1980 is reviewed. Types of studies (e... more Acid deposition research funded by the private sector since 1980 is reviewed. Types of studies (e.g., atmospheric processes, emissions and monitoring, environmental effects) supported by the private sector during this period are overviewed. The specific industries/organizations (e.g., electric utility industry, environmental interest groups) funding reserach during 1980-1982 are discussed, with relation to the number of studies supported and funds (by
Maps of both volume-weighted mean pH and mean H + deposition in precipitation were developed for ... more Maps of both volume-weighted mean pH and mean H + deposition in precipitation were developed for the continental United States and Canada using data from 12 precipitation chemistry monitoring networks. The maps were constructed using 1981-1982 laboratory pH data from approximately 130 monitoring sites. The area of greatest acidity (lowest pH/highest H ÷ deposition) is located in the northern Ohio Valley and southeastern Ontario, an area corresponding to high SOx and NOx emissions.
The electric power industry and federal regulations affecting air emissions
2006 IEEE Power Engineering Society General Meeting, 2006
Summary form only given. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued regulations di... more Summary form only given. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued regulations directly restricting electric power emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury and to address visual air quality. These regulations - the Clean Air Interstate Rule, the Clean Air Mercury Rule, and the Clean Air Visibility Rule - will together force national power sector emissions to be reduced by two-thirds. Such reductions are in addition to the 40 percent reductions in these emissions already achieved by the industry at the national level. This panel presentation discusses these programs plus EPA's New Source Review regulations. Also to be addressed are the status of state implementation and legal review of these regulations. The author discusses efforts by some states to implementing stricter versions of the rules or to limit flexibility provisions such as emission trading. The stringency and timing of emission reductions influence installation of control technologies, fuel use, costs and the reliability of electric generation. The U.S. Congress has the opportunity to enact legislation which would increase certainty while improving environmental and benefits and lowering costs of compliance
In addition to being scientifically exciting, commercially important, and environmentally essenti... more In addition to being scientifically exciting, commercially important, and environmentally essential, temperate forests have also become a key diplomatic item in international climate negotiations as potential sinks for carbon. This review presents the methods used to estimate carbon sequestration, identifies the constraints and opportunities for carbon sequestration in temperate forests, addresses the issues raised by the monitoring of carbon sequestration,
Policy Considerations for Using Forests to Mitigate Carbon Dioxide Emissions
The Scientific World JOURNAL, 2001
A recent article in Nature, "Soil Fertility Limits Carbon Sequestration by Forest Ecosys... more A recent article in Nature, "Soil Fertility Limits Carbon Sequestration by Forest Ecosystems in a CO2-Enriched Atmosphere" by Oren and colleagues, has been widely reported on, and often misinterpreted, by the press. The article dampens enthusiasm for accelerated forest growth due to CO2 fertilization and puts in question the fringe theory that the world"s forests can provide an automatic mitigation feedback. We agree that these results increase our understanding of the global carbon cycle. At the same time, their relevance in the context of the international climate change negotiations is much more complicated than portrayed by newspapers such as the New York Times ("Role of Trees in Curbing Greenhouse Gases is Challenged", May 24, 2001) and the Christian Science Monitor ("Trees No Savior for Global Warming", May 25, 2001).
In the near future regulations could be imposed affecting emissions of CO 2 and other greenhouse ... more In the near future regulations could be imposed affecting emissions of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases. Carbon offsets should be a component of any such regime. This paper addresses: 1) international and domestic policy actions related to C offset forestry, including the United Nations' Framework Convention on Climate Change and the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 1992; 2) forestry-related efforts sponsored by U.S. electric utilities to sequester and store C, protect and manage forests, and conserve energy in urban environments; 3) considerations for implementing such efforts; and 4) electric utility industry research and development on advanced methods to use biomass as fuel.
The impact of managing biomass specifically for the conservation or production of energy can beco... more The impact of managing biomass specifically for the conservation or production of energy can become a significant factor in the global management of atmopsheric CO2 over the next century. This paper evaluates the global potential for: (1) conserving energy by using trees and wood for shading, shelterbelts, windbreaks, and construction material; and (2) increasing the use of biomass and improving its conversion efficiency for producing heat, electricity, and liquid biofuels. The potential reduction in CO2 emissions possible by the anticipated time of atmospheric CO2 doubling was estimated to be up to 50 x 106 t C yr -1 for energy conservation and as high as 4 x 109 t C yr -1 for energy production. Of the many opportunities, two stand out. Through afforestation of degraded and deforested lands, biomass energy production offers the potential of 0.36 to 1.9 x 109 t C yr -1 emission reduction. Dedicated energy crops, which include short-rotation woody crops, herbaceous energy crops, halophytes, some annual crops, and oilseeds, offer the potential of 0.2 to 1.0 x 109 t C yr -~ emission reduction. Also addressed in the paper, but not quantified, were establishment of new forests, increasing the productivity of existing forests, or protecting forests to sequester C as an offset against CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels or forest destruction. Also addressed are uncertainties, gaps in scientific knowledge about ecosystems and their management, and policy considerations at the international and national levels.
Electric utilities in the US have initiated forestry projects to conserve energy and to oset carb... more Electric utilities in the US have initiated forestry projects to conserve energy and to oset carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. In 1995, 40 companies raised US$2.5 million to establish the non-pro®t UtiliTree Carbon Company which is now sponsoring eight projects representing a mix of rural tree planting, forest preservation, forest management and research eorts at both domestic (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oregon) and international sites (Belize and Malaysia). The projects include extensive external veri®cation. Such forestry projects Ð properly documented, monitored and veri®ed Ð should be a component of domestic and international strategies to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, due to GHG bene®ts, cost-eectiveness and many other environmental bene®ts (e.g., related to habitat, erosion and biodiversity). These projects on average are projected to manage CO 2 at a cost of about US $1 per ton. Experts have determined through a series of technical workshops and projects that GHG bene®ts can be accurately quanti®ed for most types of forestry projects and, in fact, forestry projects in general present no greater challenges than energy-related projects. Near-term policy decision-making related to CO 2 management via forestry is discussed. 7
The economics of managing carbon via forestry: Assessment of existing studies
Environmental & Resource Economics, 1995
Over the past decade, there has been an ongoing discussion of the question of whether the earth i... more Over the past decade, there has been an ongoing discussion of the question of whether the earth is experiencing global warming or whether the precon-ditions for global warming are being met. It is widely agreed that the earth's atmosphere does generate a natural "greenhouse ...
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