The Association of Atmospheric The Association of Atmospheric Chemistry with Weather Chemistry with Weather

Patterns in Wilmington, NCPatterns in Wilmington, NC

Sarah Beth JenkinsSarah Beth Jenkins

Spring 2006Spring 2006

Department of Earth SciencesDepartment of Earth Sciences

IntroductionIntroduction Why is rainwater chemistry important? Why is rainwater chemistry important?

Air pollutionAir pollution

Acid Rain in United States (Source: Lutgens and Tarbuck 2003)

Southeast North CarolinaSoutheast North Carolina

What rainwater chemistry issue is What rainwater chemistry issue is important? Nitrate analytesimportant? Nitrate analytes

Hog Farm Flooding in Eastern North Carolina after Hurricane Floyd in September 1999 (Source: Mallin

2000)

MACRL StudyMACRL Study

Feb 2002- Aug 2003Feb 2002- Aug 2003 129 rain events129 rain events Ammonium, nitrate, organic nitrogen, free Ammonium, nitrate, organic nitrogen, free

amino acidsamino acids Trajectory AnalysisTrajectory Analysis Weather patterns?Weather patterns?

Specific ObjectivesSpecific Objectives

Determine if weather conditions vary by seasons Determine if weather conditions vary by seasons through comparison by six winter and six summer rain through comparison by six winter and six summer rain events as measured by the MACRL study on the events as measured by the MACRL study on the UNCW campus (expanded data base)UNCW campus (expanded data base)

Determine if weather conditions vary by terrestrial and Determine if weather conditions vary by terrestrial and marine trajectories as identified in previous studiesmarine trajectories as identified in previous studies

Determine if weather conditions vary by chemical type Determine if weather conditions vary by chemical type including hydrogen peroxide, nitrate, non-sea salt including hydrogen peroxide, nitrate, non-sea salt sulfate, chloride, and dissolved organic carbon as sulfate, chloride, and dissolved organic carbon as measured by the MACRL study on the UNCW campusmeasured by the MACRL study on the UNCW campus

Air-mass back trajectories as produced by Long (2003)

Mixed Terrestrial

Mixed Coastal

Oceanic

MethodologyMethodology

Collect meteorological data:Collect meteorological data: Day/Hourly reports 48 hrs preceding each rain Day/Hourly reports 48 hrs preceding each rain

event. event.

Calculate descriptive statistics (mean, standard Calculate descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, range, etc.) deviation, range, etc.)

Complete statistical tests to determine Complete statistical tests to determine significant difference in meteorological significant difference in meteorological conditions by season and storm trajectoryconditions by season and storm trajectory

Dates of StormsAvg. Temp

Avg. Wind Speed

Avg. RH NO3

-

12/11/2003 mar/mix 52 6.2 40% 1

2/27/2004 coastal/mix 42.5 16.15 58% 4.652

1/14/2005 marine 63 9.1 34% 0.526

12/10/2003 terrestrial 43 2.05 50% 1.89

2/14/2004 terrestrial 44 7.95 45% 5.296

12/9/2004 continental 66.5 8.25 44% 44.341

6/2/2005 5 marine 69 10.55 28% 4.308

6/26/2005 5 marine 75 9.35 29% 1.478

6/29/2005 5 marine 80 5.25 29% 1.342

7/17/2004 terrestrial 80 5.3 48% 22.729

5/24/2005 2 terrestrial 70.5 9.05 45% 20.455

5/25/2005 2 terrestrial 72 8.15 43% 11.865

Generate WXP 24-Hour MeteogramStation: Wilmington/New NC US KILM 2 34.27 -77.90 10 99999 81Data for KILM from 0000Z 12 DEC 03 to 2300Z 12 DEC 03

ID TIME T TD RH DIR SPD GST ALT SLP VIS CIL COV KILM 2353 48 38 68 270 7 991 129 10 CLR KILM 0053 44 38 79 260 5 993 134 10 CLR KILM 0153 43 39 86 240 6 995 142 10 CLR KILM 0253 42 38 85 270 5 997 147 10 CLR KILM 0353 42 38 85 260 5 997 149 10 CLR KILM 0453 41 38 89 260 6 998 151 10 CLR KILM 0553 39 37 92 260 5 999 153 10 CLR KILM 0653 38 37 97 270 4 002 164 10 CLR KILM 0753 38 33 83 310 4 003 169 10 CLR KILM 0853 36 33 89 300 5 005 176 10 CLR KILM 0953 35 32 88 320 6 006 180 10 CLR KILM 1053 34 31 88 310 4 009 189 10 CLR KILM 1153 35 31 84 320 4 013 202 10 CLR KILM 1253 33 32 96 0 0 014 207 10 CLR KILM 1353 40 33 76 0 3 016 212 10 CLR KILM 1453 43 32 65 40 7 017 216 10 CLR KILM 1553 46 31 55 340 6 017 217 10 CLR KILM 1653 49 31 50 0 6 015 208 10 CLR

Source: Plymouth State Weather Center 24 HR Surface Station Summary Generator

MethodologyMethodology

Examine NOAA daily weather maps 48 Examine NOAA daily weather maps 48 hrs before precipitationhrs before precipitation

Compare synoptic weather conditions by Compare synoptic weather conditions by season and storm trajectoryseason and storm trajectory

Examine radar images to determine Examine radar images to determine spatial distribution of rainfallspatial distribution of rainfall

Compare rainfall distribution by seasons Compare rainfall distribution by seasons and storm trajectoriesand storm trajectories

NOAA Daily Weather Map (2006)

Source: Wilmington NWS FO

Radar image of Eastern North Carolina

ProductProduct

Description of local weather conditions and Description of local weather conditions and synoptic weather patterns associated with synoptic weather patterns associated with specific atmospheric chemistry patternsspecific atmospheric chemistry patterns

Use information gained in study as Use information gained in study as environmental protection toolsenvironmental protection tools

Suggest management strategies and pre-storm Suggest management strategies and pre-storm procedures based on forecasted atmospheric procedures based on forecasted atmospheric chemistrychemistry