The erosion control industry has come up with some innovative ways of dealing with dust, and it’s likely we’ll need to put more of them to use in the seasons ahead.
Our publisher here at Forester Media drew my attention to an article that appeared in the New York Times this weekend on air quality and the increasing amount of dust in the western US states. Some events are dramatic and get our attention, like the dust storm that swept through Phoenix last July; the NYT article included a picture of the storm, and we, too, featured a photo on the cover of Erosion Control. Yet storms like these are only a symptom of a larger and more long-term change, according to many scientists.
Drought is part of the problem, as people in Texas and other states can attest. And in addition to the air quality problems we can see, an overall increase in dust is causing more subtle changes, affecting water supplies throughout the western states. For example, dust storms in the Rocky Mountains are increasing the rate of snow melt, because dust-covered snow absorbs more energy; one scientist compares the process to sprinkling sand on a driveway to make the ice melt faster. If predictions for increasing heat and dry weather in the Southwest hold true, dust, air quality, and water problems will worsen. There are growing concerns, too, about the respiratory problems that might be caused or aggravated by dust and other air pollutants.
If we can’t fix the problem all at once, reducing dust at the local level—dust caused by everything from construction sites to off-road vehicles mentioned in the NYT article—will be a partial solution. Many articles in Erosion Control have dealt with topical applications of dust suppressants and soil stabilizers on unpaved roads, construction sites, even cranberry farms and vineyards.
Are air quality regulations in your region getting more stringent? What are the most commonly used methods for dealing with dust?
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Upcomimg Forester University Webinars:
January 12th, 2012
Planning & Executing an Effective Pavement Preservation Program
As roadway networks and commercial vehicle loading continue to increase and Municipality taxation power remains limited, the need to effectively maintain and improve our pavement infrastructure is paramount. Join David Hein, V.P. of Transportation for ARA, to explore the key concepts of an effective pavement preservation program, program implementation needs and guidelines, and common roadblocks to successful implementation.
January 26th, 2012
5 Steps to Creating a Successful Public Outreach Campaign
Change starts with people. Whether your focus is stormwater pollution, energy conservation, pavement restoration, or recycling, a successful public outreach campaign resonates with your target audience and leads to long-lasting behavior change. Join Erica Hooper of SGA to explore a proven 5-step approach to crafting a successful outreach campaign based on real-world examples of the good, the bad, and the ugly.
February 2nd, 2012
Advanced Stormwater Treatment: Dissolved Pollutants
How effective are your stormwater treatments in capturing dissolved loads? With an average of 45% of the phosphorus load and up to 50% of the metal load transported through treatment practices to receiving waters in dissolved form, advanced treatment is imperative. Join Andrew Erickson to explore cost-effective, field-tested methods to capture stormwater dissolved pollutants and optimize stormwater treatment performance. We’ll explore several field applications and data demonstrating significant improvements in dissolved pollutant fraction capture.
February 9th, 2012
Differentiating & Monitoring Groundwater Plumes
Threatened by various plumes of mobile contaminants, urban potable groundwater resources require groundwater professionals to not only determine the source of individual plumes, but apportion the contributions of multiple sources within a composite plume. Join William G. Soukup, P.G. of Cornerstone Environmental Group LLC to discuss the analytical and interpretive techniques for differentiating plumes and their sources, as well as tips to improve long-term plume monitoring and management.