HR: 11:50h
AN: A72B-05    [Abstracts]
TI: A New Satellite Measurement Capability for Assessing Damage to Crops from Regional Scale Ozone Pollution
AU: Fishman, J J
EM: jack.fishman@nasa.gov
AF: NASA Langley Research Center, Science Directorate, Hampton, VA 23681, United States
AU: * Creilson, J K
EM: john.k.creilson@nasa.gov
AF: NASA Langley Research Center, Science Directorate, Hampton, VA 23681, United States
AU: Parker, P A
EM: peter.a.parker@nasa.gov
AF: NASA Langley Research Center, Systems Engineering Directorate, Hampton, VA , United States
AU: Ainsworth, E A
EM: ainswort@illinois.edu
AF: University of Illinois, Photosynthesis Research Unit/ARS & Department of Plant Biology, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
AU: Vining, G G
EM: vining@vt.edu
AF: Virginia Ploytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Statistics, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
AU: Szarka, J L
EM: szarkajl@vt.edu
AF: Virginia Ploytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Statistics, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
AB: High concentrations of ground-level ozone are frequently measured over farmland regions in many parts of the world. Since laboratory data show that ozone can significantly impact crop productivity if levels above a threshold concentration are reached, there is a consensus that crop yield should be impacted now and that the effects will become even more detrimental as global background concentrations continue to rise, as suggested by the latest IPCC report. Using the long-term record of tropospheric ozone derived from satellite measurements (http://asd-www.larc.nasa.gov/TOR/data.html), we present a methodology that can be used to assess the impact of regional ozone pollution on crop productivity. In this study, we use soybean crop yield data during a 5-year period over the Midwest of the United States and analyze the results using multiple linear regression statistical models. The results are consistent with findings using conventional ground-based measurements and with results obtained from an open-air experimental facility SoyFACE (Soybean Free Air Concentration Enrichment) in central Illinois. Our analysis suggests that the cost to the farmers globally is substantial, and supports other studies that calculate an economic loss to the farming community of more than 10 billion dollars annually.
DE: 0345 Pollution: urban and regional (0305, 0478, 4251)
DE: 0365 Troposphere: composition and chemistry
DE: 1640 Remote sensing (1855)
DE: 3305 Climate change and variability (1616, 1635, 3309, 4215, 4513)
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: 2009 Joint Assembly