Overview
Beaufort is an air monitoring station in Carteret County, North Carolina, operated under the CASTNET network. It provides long-term data on air quality and atmospheric deposition.
Beaufort is an air monitoring station located at Open Grounds Farm near Beaufort, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET), a national network designed to assess the effectiveness of emission reduction programs. The station is operated by Mactec, Inc and has been providing continuous air quality data, with the most recent sample collected on December 24, 2024. As a CASTNET site, Beaufort measures criteria pollutants, atmospheric deposition, and meteorological parameters using standardized methods. The network operates under the U.S. EPA's regulatory framework, supporting the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the Acid Rain Program. The station's rural location in eastern North Carolina provides representative background conditions for the region. The environmental significance of Beaufort lies in its contribution to long-term air quality monitoring in the southeastern United States. Data from this station helps track trends in ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen compounds, and particulate matter, informing policy decisions and public health assessments. The station supports regional air quality management and research on ecosystem impacts.
Environmental context
Beaufort's location in a rural coastal area of North Carolina provides baseline air quality data for the region, away from major urban and industrial sources. The station measures a range of parameters including ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, as well as meteorological variables. This data is essential for understanding regional air pollution transport, deposition patterns, and the effectiveness of emission controls under the Clean Air Act.
Frequently asked questions
The Beaufort air monitoring station is located at Open Grounds Farm near Beaufort, North Carolina, in Carteret County, United States.
Beaufort is part of the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET), which monitors air quality and atmospheric deposition across the United States.
As a CASTNET site, Beaufort measures criteria pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, along with meteorological parameters and atmospheric deposition.
CASTNET provides long-term data to assess the effectiveness of emission reduction programs under the Clean Air Act, including the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the Acid Rain Program.
The Beaufort station is operated by Mactec, Inc, under the oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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