Possible Classroom Activities Using AIRMAP Data
AIRMAP data will provide your students with direct access to research-quality data sets currently being collected by the AIRMAP network of monitoring sites (four in operation at this point - Isles of Shoals, Durham, Moultonboro, and the summit of Mount Washington). Because of the dramatic differences in ecosystem type and elevation of sites, you and your students will be able to compare atmospheric chemistry being continuously acquired across the state of New Hampshire. AIRMAP is far more than up-to-date access to ozone data!
Sample Ideas:
Comparing daily ozone and other atmospheric chemistry at multiple elevations: Since the Isles of Shoals/Durham data are being collected at or around sea level (and are coastal), while the summit of Mount Washington is above 6,000', your students can compare daily ozone levels along the coast with those in the "atmospheric sewer."
Comparing a marine environment with a terrestrial environment: the Isles of Shoals monitoring site has very little ground vegetation growing nearby, while either the Durham or Moultonboro sites are both forested. The Durham site is more of a deciduous forest site, while the Moultonboro site is more coniferous (actually mostly white pine). Compare the amount of daily draw-down of CO2 at a heavily forested site with a marine site. Do the two types of ecosystems represent similar potentials for carbon sequestration? Have your students ask their own questions.
Comparing the impact of elevated ozone on a hardwood forest with a coniferous forest: have your students compare ozone levels and simultaneous draw-down of CO2 at the Durham site (mostly hardwoods) with the Moultonboro site (mostly white pines).
Comparing the impact of elevated ozone on a white pine forest ecosystem: have your students compare ozone levels and simultaneous draw-down of CO2 at the Moultonboro site (mostly white pines). Do this on hot days and cooler days. If this summer is less of a severe drought than the past summer (2002), compare similar climatic conditions for a wet year (2003?) and a dry year (2002).
You get the idea. The options are endless. Have fun!