Oxford Tract Air Quality Research
ENGINEERS FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD
PROJECT LEADER: Brooke Gemmell TEAM MEMBERS: Samuel Durkin, Brenton Kreiger, Bryce King, Cheryl Ching, Alison Griffith, Vania Fong, Maggie Zhang WEBSITE: http://eswinnovations.weebly.com
Abstract
Methods and Materials
The goal of our project is to investigate the extent to which urban farms can reduce air pollution in order to promote the implementation of urban farms locally and nationally. Two monitoring stations were set up upwind and downwind of the Oxford Tract Farm in Berkeley, CA. Particulate matter sensors allow us to investigate the effectiveness of the urban farm in filtering pollutants from the air. We will soon be installing CO and NO2 sensors.
Acu-rite Weather Station
Our weather station comes equipped with a thermometer, hygrometer, wind speed anemometer, wind direction vane, and a self-emptying rainfall collector cup. This weather station allows us the confirm the upwind and downwind directions, as well as lets us analyze the effects that rain and humidity have on pollutant concentration.
Dylos DC1100 Laser Particle Counters
This sensor monitors the concentration of small particle matter (>1 um), and large particulate matter (>5 um). These ranges correlate to PM 2.5 and PM 10 counts.
Project Location
Arduino Smart Citizen Kit
Oxford Tract Farm
Monitoring stations are located in the Southwest and Northeast corners of the Genetics and Plant Biology Field at the Oxford Tract. This plot is located Northwest of the main UC Berkeley Campus, and approximately 2.5 miles East of the Interstate 80.
This sensor measures CO and NO2 composition in the air, as well as light intensity and sound levels. Both CO and NO2 are motor vehicle emissions and are associated with respiratory illnesses. (Right) Securing monitoring station into 2’ deep holes. (Below) Installed SW Station.
Future Plans
Real-time Air Quality Levels
Wind and Weather
Average Wind Direction and Speed
Data Analysis PM Concentrations Upwind and Downwind NE Station (Downwind)
SW Station (Upwind)
Air Quality Network
>1um >5um 0
10000 20000 30000 40000 Particulate Matter (particles/ft3)
50000
Wind Speed: 5.6mph
Direction: NE
Fluctuation in PM as a Result of Precipitation
During week 1 of PM monitoring, a substantial decrease in PM concentrations were recorded, corresponding to 1.37 inches of precipitation during the sampling period.
PM (particles/ft3 )
Hourly Fluctuation in PM 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0
We hope to develop a website and mobile app that will enable garden users and surrounding residents to see real time air quality conditions. The PM, CO and NO2 levels will be compared to regional air quality standards in order to determine the relative safety of the air. With additional funding, we hope to increase the number of monitoring systems, with potential new sites being located at Memorial Glade, at the Gill Tract Community Farm, and at the Berkeley Global Campus in Richmond.
Educational Outreach Upwind Downwind 0
5
10
15
20
Time of Day (hours)
Acknowledgements
This project was made possible by a $1,992 grant from The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF). Special thanks to Tina Wistrom, Oxford Facilities Manager.
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Through our project, we hope to increase awareness of health implications of existing air quality and provide transparency about socioeconomic factors that shape the profile of areas with poor air quality.