Assignment 7 [ SCI 112 ] -Air Quality PDF

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This course examines the core topics in environmental science and how environmental science informs sustainability, environmental policies, economics, and personal choices. Students will learn principles from the sciences of ecology and toxicology to study the relationships between living organis...

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SCI 112 01

06.28.2021

Wastewater Treatment Plant Worksheet

SCI 112

John Jay College of Criminal Justice Assignment 7 – NEW YORK STATE AIR QUALITY

Please type in your name above, and include your response below each question. Once completed, save this document as a PDF or Microsoft Word Document and upload it to Blackboard by the due date. 1. Go to https://www.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps/aqi/aqi_info.cfm

Air Quality Index Legend and Additional Information. In your own words, describe the Air Quality Index. Which two pollutants are included in the measurement? (5 points) The Air Quality Index is dedicated to observe and document the fluctuations of air quality via daily reports. Levels have been categorized on the standards in which our species can successfully thrive or could face a threat. Either way, documenting daily reports and publishing them allows society to be aware at all times of what to expect, and what to prepare for. The first kind of pollutant to be closely monitored and measured is Fine Particles. The air quality is questioned for the mixture of solids and liquid droplets that manipulate the air quality. The other kind of pollutant is observed on the ozone layer. Our manufactured chemicals have provoked vulnerabilities between six to 39 miles above the surface of this planet. The ozone layer exists to protect the inhabitants of this planet from harmful ultraviolet rays. Monitoring the recovery or worsening of our ozone layer helps identify and trace pollutants.

2. Click on “Today’s Forecast” and you look at the table that list all the regions that have an active air quality sampling station. Is the Air Quality Index “good” at all stations? If not, which stations have “moderate” or worse air quality for today’s date? (5 points)

The Air Quality Index in all of the regions are more moderate than good. I noticed that Central New York and the Upper Hudson Valley both had good quality in their sampling stations and we next time each other. Long Island on the other hand was further away and still scored good air

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06.28.2021

Wastewater Treatment Plant Worksheet

quality in its stationed. The remaining stations: NYC Metro, Lower Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, Easten Lake Ontario, and Western New York all scored moderate. Considering today so exhaustingly hot in Bushwick, it makes me wonder what else is going on in the rest of NYC Metro for the air quality to be moderate. On my trip to visit my brother at work and drop off a house warming gift, I took the L/C/F trains instead of a Lyft. I also have been using the air conditioner while in class on my laptop, and I smoked too. I as one consumer and producer can’t possible be capable to alter the air quality on my own. I bet if we all took accountability for out decisions throughout the day instead of being glued to “out of sight, out of mind”, we’d be in better circumstances. This is my first time checking out the air quality index page, I am curious about how many New Yorkers know about this.

3. Which station has the highest PM2.5 values? Which station has the lowest? Include the values in your answers. (5 points) The Central New York, Upper Hudson Valley, and Long Island region all has the lowest values. They all were valued at 50 as their Maximum Air Quality Index. The Lower Hudson Valley on the other hand had a value of 62 as their Maximum Air Quality Index. I found it impressive and disappointing that the Upper and Lower Hudson Valley were next to each other yet the Lower Hudson Valley scored 12 points higher than the Upper Hudson Valley. I expected cooperation between each other to successfully monitor the region’s air quality.

4. Review the EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards: https://www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants/naaqs-table. What is the PM2.5 primary standard level (your answer should be a number)? What is the PM2.5 secondary standard level? Do any of the New York State sites exceed either of these standards on today’s date? (5 points) The annual average primary and secondary level standards are levels of 12.0 µg/m3 and 15.0 µg/m. The PM2.5 secondary level is “Secondary standards set limits to protect public welfare, including protection against decreased visibility, damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings.”, according to the website instructed above. However, applying the level of standards

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06.28.2021

Wastewater Treatment Plant Worksheet

in average to the secondary standard, 3 points above average is the expected amount for the secondary level. The New York state does not exceed either standards yet, but could absolutely use improvement in the “moderate” categories”....