Earth Systems Water Quality Nitrates Land Use Atmosphere resources projects Systems

1997 Environmental Science Institute The Atmosphere Resources Human Dimension "active learning" modules on the human dimensions of global change Systems Modeling software The STELLA® package - free runtime available for viewing models presented on this web site Projects NOTE: These projects are works in progress. They display varying levels of ecological understanding. Please contact the individual authors before using this material in your classroom or for your homework! 05. Tropospheric ozone levels by Jeanie Burch, Rudi Thompson. Ozone has become an increasingly popular topic of study. Comparisons are currently being done between stratospheric and tropospheric ozone, as well as the many possible health effects of tropospheric ozone. This study is a variation on these topics because it will allow schools K-12, as well as any and all on the web, to access and analyze the data as it relates to atmospheric conditions. This project is intended to research the possible correlations between atmospheric conditions and tropospheric ozone. 16. The effect of urbanization on temperature of microclimates by Annette Sheffield, Karin Westerling. Urban environments differ from agricultural and wild lands in many respects. Two obvious features are buildings and walls. These objects modify their adjacent microclimates by absorbing solar energy, radiating heat, and providing shade. Buildings and walls can be used to actively manipulate the microenvironment to benefit agriculture. In this inquiry we chose to study the microclimatic effects on the north and south sides of some large, brick buildings. 17. Anthropogenic sulphur dioxide in the trophosphere by Tamsey Ellis, Bart James, Sharon Kirby. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrous oxide emissions released into the atmosphere are the leading causes of acid rain. Emissions of SO2 occur naturally through plant decomposition and volcanic eruptions. However, since the industrial revolution, humans have contributed greatly to an increase in the rate of these emissions. Emissions from power plants which burn coal to produce electricity, along with oil refining processes and ships which burn bunker fuel, are the main sources of SO2 emissions produced by man. These emissions are regulated through the Clean Air Act Amendment of 1990 (CAAA) by the Environmental Protection Agency. This project is a STELLA® Model based on the work of Madalinski, Nichols and Martens (Global Effect of Natural and Anthropogenic Sulfur Dioxide Emissions). 26. Changes in the carbon cycle due to deforestation and fossil fuel consumption in the U.S. using STELLA® modelling by Martha Mersereau, Florence Duarte, Anna Zareba-Kowalska. It is generally agreed that deforestation initiates local changes, but there are varying opinions as to the likely effect of deforestation on the global hydrological cycle and global climatic change. Deforestation on a global scale since 1890 has greatly contributed to the total release of carbon. Carbon dioxide is one of the most important greenhouse gases and is responsible for about 60 percent of the enhanced greenhouse warming. Its atmospheric concentration has increased tremendously since the industrial revolution. However, at present carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere seems to be increasing primarily due to increased use of fossil fuels. The purpose of this project was to examine the effects of human activities such as deforestation and increased fossil fuel burning in the United States on the carbon cycle in the U.S. using STELLA® modeling. 52. Fixation of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels by the planting of trees by Monica Shah, Belinda Poindexter, Edgar Ticzon. The increasing level of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is of concern because of its association with global warming. This excess CO2 is being rapidly released into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas. As fossil fuels remain the predominant source to meet present energy demands the level of carbon dioxide is expected to increase along with its accompanying problems. One attempt to alleviate the situation has been reforestation in various regions of the world, to compensate for the effects of fossil fuel-using industrial and power plants. In this project a simple model was created, using the STELLA® system, relating rate of carbon dioxide emission from burning fossil fuel to rate of carbon dioxide fixation by trees. The model is expected to provide an estimate of extent of forestation needed to compensate for specific levels of carbon dioxide emission. A student experiment is included which will allow students to study carbon dioxide utilization by bean seedlings. 54. Stratospheric ozone and CFC's by Percival Barretto Ko, Carol Guogas, Janet O'Leary. The problem studied in this project is: If human use of Chlorofluorocarbons is reduced to zero, how long will it take for ozone destruction to cease? A STELLA® model of CFC concentrations over time is shown. This site contains good animated pictures of ozone, CFC's and the interaction between the substances. Information on the ozone hole is also included. Abstracts by Linda Padwa.

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