Loyola University Chicago

Air Pollution Studies in Chicago 

Dr. Martina Schmeling is focusing on the study of atmospheric aerosols, their chemical composition, and their effects on human health.

Air pollution has been a problem in many metropolitan areas.  Despite the 1990 Clean Air Act, some pollutants are still commonly found posing a threat to the environment and health of people living in metropolitan regions. 

During the summer season in urbanized areas solar intensity and temperatures become high, ozone, nitrogen oxides and particular matter present a problem.  Photo:  Poor air quality in Chicago during the summer season.

To identify source regions and daily variations of these pollutants, the Loyola University Chicago Air Station (LUCAS) has been operating each summer since 2002.  Located at the top of Mertz Residence Hall at the Lake Shore Campus, it includes a weather station, ozone and nitrogen oxides trace gas monitoring equipment, and various particulate collection equipment. 

It has been found that certain air pollution patterns are common and most of the pollutants are associated with certain wind direction.  The CUERP research project will focus on air pollution issues in Chicago and is divided into four parts:

1) Data processing and intepretation of five years of data.  Five years of data contain a wealth of information when processed and discussed in various ways.  Statistical evaluations will aid in identifying correlations between pollutants and weather parameter.  This evaluation is conducted by Dr. Timothy O'Brien and student, Denis Agniel, a CUERP Undergraduate Research Fellow.

Stationary sources emitting some of the pollutants measured at LUCAS can be mapped with GIS system for the CUERP area of interest with help of toxic release inventory from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  See map below.

- Combining data obtained from LUCAS and meteorological parameters, it will be possible to pinpoint major pollution source regions and identify signatures together with possible reaction pathways.

- Hot spots of high population density and air pollution in the CUERP study area can be mapped when combining demographics gathered by Dr. Ken Johnson and David Goldblatt, the Center's GIS Specialist.

2) Organic species can present a large fraction of the total aerosol, but little is known about them, especially in the Chicago region.  Some organic aerosol species have been characterized at LUCAS during the past two years, but extensive research is still underway to idenfity species and reaction pathways.

3) The identified "hot spots" for the CUERP study area can serve as basis for future research projects related to air pollution and health.  A well designed study with health scientists in the CUERP region can bring about a better understanding of pollutants involved in respiratory illness and other ailments.

4) A second air pollution station located at Loyola University Chicago Water Tower Campus will add important insight to pollution patterns occurring in areas of high population density, highrise structures, and vehicle traffic.  Planned for summer 2007, both particulates and trace gases will be observed from the Water Tower Campus.

For more information on Dr. Schemling and her research, visit Dr. Schmeling's bio.