Science and Data

Assessment of Forest Sensitivity to Nitrogen and Sulfur Deposition in Maine. Excess sulfur and nitrogen deposition may reduce the supply of nutrients available for plant growth. Nutrient depletion leads to increases in the susceptibility of forests to climate, pest, and pathogen stress which results in reduced forest health, reduced timber yield, and eventual changes in forest species composition.

Air Monitoring Data Service including:

• Air Quality. Preliminary data from continuous monitors.
• Atmospheric Deposition (Acid Rain). Field measurements from sites.
• Air Quality Forecast. Ozone and particle pollution forecasts.

Air Toxics. Hazardous air pollutants are those pollutants that, at sufficient concentrations and exposure cause adverse health or environmental impacts, such as respiratory disease or cancer.

i-Steps®, developed by Pacific Environmental Services, has been adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection to assist with the electronic submission of air emissions data from facilities, and in turn, the transmittal of that data to U.S. EPA.

BEAM. The BEAM project provided a unique opportunity for the Portland community to find out about its air during any given hour, day, or month. Using UV DOAS technology, the MEDEP was able to monitor the levels of several air pollutants and toxic compounds simultaneously and report that data to the Internet. The project ended on January 3, 2007.

Regional Haze. Regional Haze often appears white but can be colored differently depending on the angle of the sun and is generally the result of fine particle pollution.

 

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