Investigations in Smog from North Dakota to Southern Ontario

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Investigations in Smog from North Dakota to
Southern Ontario
By Do Yong Park, Peter Sykora, Peter Eldergill
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Abstract

• This investigation is interested in finding a
  difference of smog in two different locations, ND
  and Toronto, which characterizes rural and urban
  area. Data collection includes aerosol
  composition, temp, RH, precipitation, pH in the
  above two regions and will be compared to help
  students to understand the climate of rural and
  urban areas.

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Question/Hypothesis

• Compare any differences in pH level of rainfall,
  aerosol composition of the air, relative humidity
  and temperature extremes between Ellendale and
  Toronto.
• This research is designed to help urban students
  understand more about rural agricultural climate
  and to help rural students understand more about
  urban climates.

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Hypothesis

• Temperature will be lower in Toronto
• Humidity will be lower in Dakota
• Aerosols will be higher in Toronto due to
  proximity to the airport
• pH will be higher in Toronto
• Toronto is the centre of the Universe

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Introduction

• Toronto has a smog problem and North Dakota
  appears to be smog free. As a result of this
  research project, students in Toronto and North
  Dakota will be comparing their data and
  geographical locations to determine if the smog
  is a possible source of acid rain.

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Materials

• pH paper
• sun photometer
• Humidistat
• rain gauge
• digital thermometer
• weather station box
• digital camera

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Methods

• pH of rainfall will be taken after every
  rainfall/snowfall for 1 month
• Temperature (max/min/current), humidity and
  aerosol composition will be measured daily for
  month at solar noon

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Camera Usage!!!!!!

• Students will take photos of local conditions
  around the area where the live, noting possible
  sources of aerosols (power plants, airports,
  highways, etc..)
• The photos will be shared with students from the
  other city involved in the project to compare
  urban/rural life

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Data Transformation

• Students will provide a map to locate both cities
• Students will graph
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Aerosol composition
• Students will look for correlation with pH levels

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43.2245 N, 74.1755 W, 282 m
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Average Red Channel Transmission - Average
percentage of red light transmitted through the
atmosphere as measured at GLOBE sites on this
date. Avg. Aerosol Measurement in North Dakota Of
July 23, 2006
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Standards

• Students will select and use appropriate
  technologies, tools, and techniques to solve a
  problem
• Students will explain the short term and long
  term effects of chemical processes on the
  environment and society
• Students will share the results of their research
  with fellow students