Photo credit: www.nasa.gov
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Dan Sousa, San Diego State University
Graduate Mentor: Megan Ward-Baranyay, San Diego State University
Megan Ward Baranyay, the graduate student mentor for the 2024 SARP West Land group, offers an overview of the team’s members and shares insights from their internship experiences.
Gerrit Hoving, Carleton College
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are significant contributors to air pollution, releasing ammonia, methane, and hydrogen sulfide. Among these, ammonia stands out as a principal cause of rural air contamination, primarily due to the breakdown of livestock waste. Effective mitigation of air pollution is contingent upon precise monitoring of these emissions; however, directly measuring ammonia poses challenges due to its fleeting presence in the atmosphere and the absence of a distinct VSWIR spectral signature. This research explores the feasibility of using spectroscopic imaging to detect ammonia emissions from CAFOs based on surface characteristics. Analysis from the Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Spectrometer (HyTES) successfully identified ammonia plumes from specific feedlots. The presence of these plumes was correlated with pixel-level reflectance data obtained from the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source (EMIT) instrument. The study employed random forest classification models to predict ammonia plume presence, achieving an accuracy between 70% and 80%. However, findings were constrained by the limited number of feedlots observed (n=96) and potential discrepancies arising from temporal gaps in data collection. While this research encompasses a relatively small area, the suggestive evidence points toward the possibility of using surface features observed through VSWIR reflectance for broader predictions of ammonia emissions from feedlots.
Benjamin Marshburn, California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo
California’s escalating temperatures and extended droughts, driven by climate change, pose significant threats to its Mediterranean ecosystems, where wildfires are a natural occurrence. This study aims to assess how wildfire parameters impact the concentration of chlorophyll-a, which serves as an indicator of phytoplankton abundance, in coastal areas affected by wildfires. A regional analysis split into northern, central, and southern California examined the correlation between wildfire severity and post-fire chlorophyll-a levels. Using digital elevation models, the study measured stream lengths connecting heavily burned regions to the ocean, while the differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) analyzed burn severity. Monitoring changes in chlorophyll-a via NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) showed a moderate predictive value (R2 = 0.36) through a Random Forest Regression model, suggesting avenues for further investigation—particularly the impact of rainfall on chlorophyll changes following wildfires and the potential influence of wind-blown ash.
Hannah Samuelson, University of St. Thomas
Fuel load characteristics, encompassing severity, intensity, and frequency of fires, are crucial determinants of wildfire behavior. In this context, fuel loads are influenced by moisture content, the composition of vegetation, and climate variables. This study examines the burning characteristics between two shrub species, Purple Sage and California Sagebrush, alongside two species of oak. A prescribed fire conducted in Santa Barbara County served as the basis for collecting data on maximum temperature and changes in vegetation structure using UAV LiDAR technology. Preliminary findings indicate that Purple Sage achieved notably higher maximum temperatures during controlled burns. Additionally, both oak species exhibited similar biomass changes at lower temperatures. This research reinforces anecdotal evidence regarding the correlation between specific plant species and their behavior during wildfires, with implications for refining fire spread models and land management strategies aimed at balancing human safety and ecological preservation.
Angelina Harris, William & Mary
Understanding pre-fire landscape characteristics is essential for improving wildfire management strategies. This study seeks to quantify the interplay between soil type and fuel load within the Sedgwick Reserve, utilizing soil units that represent regional variability—Chamise shaly loam and Shedd silty clay loam. Factors such as terrain, slope, and sun exposure significantly influence soil properties, affecting the potential for wildfire spread. By leveraging a Canopy Height Model (CHM) derived from airborne LiDAR data, research efforts aim to identify correlations between soil type, topography, and live fuel loads. Initial results suggest that both soil type and slope importantly affect canopy height, warranting further studies that explore additional soil classifications and their relation to wildfire dynamics.
Emily Rogers, Bellarmine University
Isoprene, a prominent gaseous byproduct of biological activity, plays a vital role in atmospheric chemistry, influencing the production of pollutants like ozone. This research examines the relationship between isoprene emissions and the phenology of vegetation in Southern California, comparing regions dominated by different plant physiologies. Investigating seasonal patterns, the study uses high-resolution satellite observations to relate photosynthetic activity with isoprene oxidation products like formaldehyde. Preliminary analysis indicates stronger correlations between seasonal emissions and photosynthetic activity during fall, providing essential insights into how climate fluctuations affect plant emissions and, consequently, air quality. Such understanding is critical for developing strategies to mitigate pollution derived from volatile organic compounds.
Sydney Kent, Miami University
The geological composition of landscapes has profound impacts on groundwater chemistry, particularly through processes like weathering and erosion. This research focuses on the Columbia Plateau, a geologic region known for groundwater sustainability challenges due to agricultural water extraction. The study aims to assess how basaltic mineralogy influences the quality of well water concerning health benchmarks for trace elements. Utilizing NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) to map surface minerals, preliminary findings reveal notable correlations between the presence of specific minerals and increased levels of lithium and radon-222 in well data. Insights from this work could inform targeted water purification strategies for communities reliant on private wells, enhancing public health and safety.
Click here to watch the Atmospheric Aerosols Group presentations.
Click here to watch the Ocean Group presentations.
Click here to watch the Whole Air Sampling (WAS) Group presentations.
Source
www.nasa.gov