Smog may be contributing to the decline of sugar maples, one of Northeast Ohio's iconic trees — and our high-mileage lifestyle is a big cause

By Mary Topa, PhD
Director of Research, The Holden Arboretum

Tropospheric or ground-level ozone is the primary constituent of smog, and it is the most widespread phytotoxic air pollutant in the United States. Unlike ozone in the upper atmosphere (stratosphere), which has a beneficial effect of it shielding us from the harmful effects of UV radiation, tropospheric ozone probably has the most negative impact of all air pollutants on tree health and growth.

On average, tropospheric ozone is increasing at 0.5–1 percent per year. However, tropospheric ozone is considered a regional pollutant, and urban areas are major sources of ozone precursors that can travel hundreds or thousands of kilometers.

Trees in the urban landscape and in rural communities or in forests downwind of major metropolitan areas are often subjected to some of the highest levels of smog during peak season. Known as a summertime pollutant, tropospheric ozone is a gas composed of three oxygen atoms (O3), and is a product of a photochemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. Consequently, tropospheric ozone levels are highest on hot sunny days, peaking generally between noon and 7 p.m. Since vehicles can account for as much as half of the VOCs and oxides of nitrogen, areas in moderate non-attainment or worse status, such as the Cleveland/Akron area, are included in Ohio’s E-Check Vehicle Emissions Testing Program.

Plants as bio-indicators for ozone

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Lecture on the decline of sugar maple trees in the northeastern U.S. and links to air pollution by Holden Arboretum's Mary Topa.

Acer saccharum (sugar maple) is a keystone species in many forests of Northeastern and Midwestern United States, and Eastern Canada. Although recent surveys have shown that Acer saccharum is generally healthy throughout its range, sporadic declines have occurred during the last four decades in Ontario and Quebec, Wisconsin, Vermont, New York and Pennsylvania, and fewer seedlings appear to be maturing to adulthood. Topa, Holden’s director of research, will discuss potential causes of decline in urban trees, sugar bushes and forests, and why some forests are more susceptible than others. There will be light refreshments and time to speak with. Topa after the lecture. Registration requested.

More information.

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HOW MANY DAYS CAN YOU AVOID COMMUTING ALONE, DURING THE WEEKS OF July 20th – August 2nd?

Carpool - Find a partner, even for just 1 day a week, using our free service at www.OhioRideshare.org.

Bike To Work and To Do Errands - View or print a FREE county bike route map at www.noaca.org/bikemaps.html

Ride the Bus - Visit www.noaca.org/cc2008.html for all the regional transit links Walk - No additional equipment needed!

Telecommute (Work from Home) - First time? This is a good week to try it!

Compressed Work-Week - Work four 10-hour days and take a day off!

Please share your commute story at www.noaca.org/cc2008.html and we will calculate the emissions you saved as a region!

Commuter Challenge 2008 is brought to you by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency’s Air Quality Programs, Rideshare Program, and Bicycle Planning. NOACA is a regional transportation and environmental planning agency. For more info call (216) 241-2414 ext. 252 or 373.

• Cleveland has more in common with Eastern Europe than we assumed. Tremont residents Phil Pavarinni, Jr. and Ohio Citizen Action Cleveland Area Program Director Liz Ilg will meet with representatives from five different countries that all have a Mittal Steel plant as neighbors in Luxembourg on May 12, to plan for an international effort to get Mittal to clean up. They’re networking with CEE Bankwatch (Croatia), Environment Hamilton (Canada), GroundWork (South Africa), GARDE programme of Environmental Law Service (Czech Republic), Friends of the Earth Luxembourg, Karaganda EcoMuseum (Kazakhstan), National Ecological Center of Ukraine, Solidarity ArcelorMittal Poland, Steel Valley Crisis Committee (South Africa), and Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (South Africa).

  Ohio Citizen Action will release a documentary on Mittal Steel and Cleveland at the Museum of Contemporary Art (8501 Carnegie Ave.) on Friday June 6 at 7 pm.

  
  

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Earth Day Coalition's Clean Transportation Program in partnership
with the Clean Air Task Force, the Ohio Environmental Council, the
Cleveland Clean Air Century Campaign, and NOACA are proud to present a
3/4 day conference on clean diesel retrofits.

This event will feature comprehensive information on the range of
products available for reducing tailpipe emissions from heavy duty
diesel engines.

Conference components include:

-a live (outdoor) demonstration of a diesel particualte filter (DPF)
utilizing equipment which provides a realtime visual display of
emissions reduction.

-a technical explanation, targeted at fleet managers, of the science
behind the functioning of various retrofits, including, DOCs, DPFs, CCV's, APUs, and more.

-a question and answer panel featuring representatives from major retrofit manufacturers

-a question and answer panel on sources of funding for diesel retrofits, including specifics on Ohio's recently announced DERG program.

We hope you will be able to join us!
$30 cost includes continental breakfast and lunch

Meeting of the NOACA Air Quality Public Advisory Task Force on Northeast Ohio's planning to meet federal regulations for fine particle pollution.

NOACA Air Quality Public Advisory Task Force meeting to review work on a plan to reduce fine particle pollution in Northeast Ohio.

NOACA Air Quality Public Advisory Task Force meeting on the region's planning to comply with federal regulations for fine particle pollution.

Tremont Market . . .it’s fresh!

Clevelanders celebrate the fall harvest and prepare for the holidays at a unique market featuring all locally produced goods!

As temperatures topped 100 degrees in Northeast Ohio this week, it brought to mind the perennial Ozone Action Days and... just what the heck do they mean?

Also, with the deadline for Northeast Ohio’s air pollution control plan looming, we ask NOACA Senior Environmental Planner Pamela Davis about actions the regional transportation planning agency will take to improve the air we breath.

Read the Q&A here.