Tropospheric ozone measurements for June 2005 in the southeastern U.S., derived from data collected by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) aboard NASA’s Aura Mission. The points in this image indicate the 155 U.S. Forest Service ozone monitoring sites used for this study. Image Credit: DEVELOP Stennis Team.

Authors: Aaron Brooks, Shelby Barrett

Mentors/Advisors (affiliation): Joe Spruce (Computer Sciences Corporation/CSC, Stennis Space Center), Dr. Kenton Ross (Science Systems and Applications Inc., Langley Research Center), Cheri Miller (NASA, Stennis Space Center)

Team Location: Stennis Space Center, Stennis, Mississippi

Abstract: Tropospheric ozone, which is formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react with sunlight, is a severe threat to the health of U.S. National Forests. Ozone damage causes forest foliage to change colors, shortens its life span, and increases its susceptibility to bark beetle infestations and drought. Currently, the Forest Service has ground monitoring stations sparsely located across the country. The Forest Service must interpolate ozone concentrations for areas between these monitoring stations. This project assessed the feasibility of incorporating NASA ozone data into Forest Service ozone monitoring in an effort to enhance the accuracy of ozone exposure measurements in Class I wilderness areas and other federally managed lands. This was accomplished by establishing a method of comparison between OMI and MLS onboard the NASA Aura Mission and the U.S. Forest Service ozone monitoring products. Once a method of comparison was established, actual comparisons were made between the data sets.

Transcript available here.