Mayelin Trinidad-Greenhouse Gases Surrounding La Guardia Community College copy PDF

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A Study of Greenhouse Gases Surrounding LaGuardia Community College Mayelin Trinidad, LaGuardia Community College Abstract: What does increasing in climate temperature and a busy New York City street have in common? Well they are a small part of the threat in global warming. Climate change and global warming have been a topic that scientist and politicians constantly either try to prove or debunk. However one thing that is unarguable is that the temperature of the planet has increased this is due to human actions. This led to inquire what are the levels of greenhouse gases in our neighborhood. Greenhouse or the warming layers of gas that helps keeps the planet warm, and emits radiation. LaGuardia Community College students decided to the compare the levels of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and ozone surrounding the campus. This experiment was conducted using air concentration reader in various key points. From high traffic streets to a neighborhood garden. To take inconsideration all of the surrounding factors of air pollutants. With the most important finding that regardless the effects in traffic caused by the pandemic Introduction: When we hear the term climate change or global warming we normally assume they are synonymous form one another however this is not the case. Climate change is the long term change in the pattern in weather, while global warming is the long term heating of the of Earth’s climate[Fong J., et al 2014]. Both climate change and global warming are caused by the unnatural amounts of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gas is what keeps planet Earth warm, this is done by absorbing and emitting radiation, leading to the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is the process by which the heat is trapped on Earth’s surface creating a blanket of greenhouse gases [Manning,et al 2012], this effect is caused by the presence of water vapor, carbon dioxide(CO2), methane, nitrous dioxide (NO2) and synthetic gases such as fluoridate gases. Unnatural concentration of greenhouse gases are leading to both climate change and global warming. Greenhouse gases such as CO2 is naturally produced by an interchange between animal and plants. Animals inhale oxygen and exhale CO2 while plants use carbon dioxide and release oxygen during the process of photosynthesis.[Johansson, et al 2019] Another form of how natural CO2 is emitted by volcanic eruption, natural forest fires as well as decomposition of once living organism, dust storm, hot springs and natural pollutants such as fungi, spores and pollen . However as unnatural production of CO2 increases caused by human activity such as mining, burning of fossil fuels, energy production, human caused deforestation fires and cement production. [Manning, et al 2012] It is leading to an increase in heating of the planet, these are forms of man made pollution. The over production of these gases from both man-made pollution and natural pollution, or increased levels of greenhouse gases, leads to global warming. As the planet becomes warmer, we see the ice caps melts, sea level raising, an increase in natural disasters, and extinction of living organisms. The main cause of both climate change and global human is human activity. Humans have been leading global warming, as per NASA writer Amy Johansson record keeping of climate change indicates global and ocean temperature increased can be traced since pre-industrial period. Researching the effects of greenhouse gases is crucial in understanding the effects and threats of global warming. This why recorded keeping is important as it offers data on the changes of these greenhouse gases. In a study we conducted in the LaGuardia Community College (LaGCC) campus, we compared the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), in relations to the environment surrounding the college. LaGCC is located in Long Island City, New York right near Queens Boulevard and Thompson ave, a very busy street. This leads us to believe that due to traffic and human congestion the levels for CO2, NO3 and O3 will above acceptable levels. We also hypothesized that because LaGCC is located in a metropolitan area off Queens Boulevard and Thomson Ave, very traffic heavy street the levels would be on slightly affected. Although the college it self doesn’t have normal amount of student and faculty traffic I do believe

that the levels will remain high of CO2,NO3 and O3. Since we still outside factors affecting air quality in the school. Material and Method: Using the Aeroqual Series 200 Monitor (S-200) by Oxidation Technology, LLC (see Figure 2), a portable device that accurately measures air pollutants in parts per million (ppm) to collect CO2, NO3 and O3 readings surrounding the LaGuardia Community College Campus (see Figure 1). We conducted the experiment on the 22nd of October 2020, data collection began at 3:00 pm and lasted till 3:30pm. Reading was collected after 2 minutes in each location. The temperature was 69F, humidity was 80% and air was SSE 4 MPH. Our start point was the Main Building for the campus, followed by Vandam & Thompson, Vandam & 47th Avenue, 31st Street & 47th Avenue, Community Garden,29th & Skilman Avenue, Thompson & 30th Street and I final location was between Thompson 47th & 30th Street.

Figure 2: Aeroqual Series 200 Monitor

Results: Below is Chart 1, demonstrating the data collected for CO2 surround various location on LaGCC campus.

Below is Chart 2, demonstrating the data collected for NO2 surround various location on LaGCC campus.

Below is Graph 3, demonstrating the data collected for O3 surround various location on LaGCC campus.

Discussion: The purpose of this study was to better understand air pollution surrounding LaGCC. Since the college is located in a heavy traffic street, we hypothesized that levels for CO2,NO2 and O3 levels would be higher than acceptable levels. However, ever one factor not considered is that the current pandemic. During the time the study was conducted we were and still are been affect by a global pandemic, Covid-19. This pandemic led for the close closure, cancelling in person class, and limiting staff in the campus. As well as a decreased in traffic.Although the campus is close and traffic has decreased, the effects pollution are still there. By comparing acceptable levels CO2,NO2 and O3 we can determine together with the data collected during the experiment we can determine the quality of air surrounding the campus using the Aeroqual Monitor. This device was key in collecting data as it accurately measures the air factors of interest. When collecting data, the Aeroqual Monitor had a sensor attached to detect to quantity in ppm of CO2,NO2 and O3. In order to be understand the levels of collected and determine wether we had acceptable levels or unhealthy levels of the pollutants, we compared them to the standard accept levels. Carbon dioxide’s acceptable levels are between 250-400 ppm in normal outdoor ambient air, while unhealthy levels begins at 1,000 ppm and higher, people begin to experience drowsiness and can lead to serious healthy conditions. Nitrogen dioxide’s acceptable levels are between 0.000-0.050 ppm, between 0.051-0.150 ppm is unhealthy for certain individuals with previous health conditions, and standard unhealthy level is 0.1510.200 ppm. Ozone’s acceptable levels are between 0.000-0.050 ppm, between 0.051-0.150 ppm is unhealthy for certain individuals with previous health conditions, and standard unhealthy level is 0.1510.200 ppm. When comparing this information with the data collected surrounding the campus, the levels of all three CO2,NO2 and O3 where elevated in locations with higher areas with higher transit (Charts 1-3). Areas such as Thompson Ave and 30th St had higher levels of CO2, and NO2 with concentrations of 567 ppm and 0083 ppm respectively (Charts 1 and2). Where are O3 concentration was highest in the 30th Pl between Thompson Ave and 47th Ave at 0014 ppm (Charts 1 and 3). Individuals and community around this area are exposed to more pollutants than those whom spent time around the Community garden where the lowest level of CO2 and O3 were detected (Charts 1 and 3).Although the levels reflected in the study are in the moderately healthy range individuals with pre-existing health conditions are in danger special does with lung problems. Even though the normal flow of traffic was affected, we still saw how the limited pollution agents affected this neighborhood. In conclusion, by reducing the amount of fossil fuel consumed by everyday activities we can reduce pollution in our areas. Work Cited: 1. Carbon Dioxide. (2019, December 20). Retrieved November 01, 2020, from https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/chemical/carbondioxide.htm 2. Climate Impacts on Coastal Areas. (2016, October 06). Retrieved November 01, 2020, from https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-coastal-areas_.html 3. Fong, J. (2014, April 22). Climate change: Earth's giant game of Tetris - Joss Fong. Retrieved November 01, 2020, from https://youtu.be/ztWHqUFJRTs 4. Interactive: Climate time machine – Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. (2017, June 14). Retrieved November 01, 2020, from https://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/25/interactiveclimate-time-machine/ 5. Johansson, A. (2019, August 28). Overview: Weather, Global Warming and Climate Change. Retrieved November 01, 2020, from https://climate.nasa.gov/resources/global-warming-vsclimate-change/ 6. Magnuson, C. (2012, April 09). "It's Us". Retrieved November 01, 2020, from https://youtu.be/PrrTk6DqzE 7. Manning, N. (2012, October 02). The carbon cycle - Nathaniel Manning. Retrieved November 01, 2020, from https://youtu.be/A4cPmHGegKI

8. Newman, P. A. (2020, November 03). NASA Ozone Watch: Latest status of ozone. Retrieved November 01, 2020, from https://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/...