SAMI: Integrated Assessment

SAMI is preparing an Integrated Assessment that links emissions, atmospheric transport, air quality models, and the environmental effects of ozone, fine particles in the air (also called aerosols), and acid depositionl. Additional analysis assess the cost of controls and the social and economic consequences associated with various emission reduction scenarios. These analysis will be used by SAMI to make policy recommendations for managing emissions.

The graphic below includes hotlinks to pages that describe the technical design and results for each assessment area.

SAMI's integrated assessment focuses on impacts of ozone, aerosols, and acid deposition on the natural resources in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Emissions Inventories have been developed for 1990, 1995, 2010, and 2040 for precursors of ozone, aerosols, and acid deposition. Gaseous, aerosol, and precipitation chemistry, transport, and environmental exposures are being modeled with specific attention to the complex terrain of the region. Atmospheric modeling is representing air emissions and exposures for 9 week-long episodes. These results will be scaled to represent the annual and seasonal exposure metrics that are most useful to describe impacts to natural resources. Effects models are being applied to evaluate visibility, aquatic, and forest ecosystem responses to projected changes in exposures. Socioeconomic analyses are addressing the costs and benefits of air quality management policies. The integrated assessment results will be summarized in a final report and will be used to develop SAMI's recommendations of emissions management strategies to policy makers.

SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS INITIATIVE

S O U T H E R N A P P A L A C H I A N M O U N T A I N S I N I T I A T I V E
The Interchange Building, 59 Woodfin Place
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
828 251 6889
[email protected]

Friday, October 06, 2000