Student Research Reports
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The Effects of California’s Camp Fire on Aerosol Measurements in Kingsburg, CA
Organization(s):Kingsburg High School
Country:United States of America
Student(s):Saneh Kahlon
Ajmeet K. Pama Ghuman
Jillian Sasaki
Judith Reyes
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Teacher:Leigh-Ann Olsen
Contributors:Mrs. Olsen's 3rd and 4th Period Honors Biology classes
Report Type(s):U.S. Student Research Symposia (SRS)
Protocols:Aerosols
Language(s):
Date Submitted:04/27/2019
Aerosols are particulates, both naturally and anthropogenically produced, capable of affecting the passage of sunlight. This is measured in the form of Aerosol Optical Thickness readings, or AOT. Typically, increased presence of particles results in a higher reading. They can then be transported by the wind over large distances, as was observed in the AOT readings at Kingsburg. Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) reading collections were taken and analyzed in order to observe a possible correlation with the California Camp Fire which occurred within the duration dates in which AOT readings were taken. Certain anomalies were observed within the data and the causation possibly stemmed from active burning of the Camp Fire due to the nature of the fires and correlating dates of occurrence with data collection. Analysis and observations suggest that higher average AOT readings were observed on the days of which the Camp Fire actively burned.