Relationships between Synoptic Climatology and Atmospheric Pollution at 4 US Cities |
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Authors: | J S Greene L S Kalkstein H Ye K Smoyer |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Geography and Environmental Verification and Analysis Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, U.S.A., US;(2) Center for Climatic Research, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, U.S.A., US;(3) Department of Geography, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, U.S.A., US;(4) Department of Geography, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada, CA |
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Abstract: | Summary An evaluation of the impacts of weather on pollution, specifically, ozone and total suspended particulates concentration
for Summer, is examined in four cities in the U.S.: Birmingham, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Seattle. These cities were selected
because of their different climate regimes and their generally good pollutant and meteorological datasets. This paper uses
a synoptic climatological approach, which combines a number of atmospheric factors, to better identify the relationships between
atmospheric pollution and climatological conditions. Synoptic events represent holistic units of atmospheric conditions which
commonly occur at a given locale, and possess specific weather and pollution characteristics. A number of weather variables,
including temperature, are used in the development of a synoptic index, which can be used to identify synoptic events associated
with specific pollution episodes. Results from the analysis illustrate that there is a substantial difference in pollution
loads under different synoptic patterns, and that the cities do have substantially different relationships.
Information from this study could be used to assist in the analysis of the differential impacts of weather and pollution upon
human morbidity. Specific information as to the linkages between the synoptic weather patterns, pollution concentrations,
and human health could be used in the development of weather/health watch-warning systems to alert the public that a synoptic
episode is imminent.
Received September 18, 1998 |
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