Overview
Beltsville is an air monitoring station in Laurel, Maryland, part of the CASTNET network. It provides long-term atmospheric data to assess the effectiveness of emission reduction programs.
Beltsville is an air monitoring station located in Laurel, Maryland, United States. It operates as part of the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET), a national program designed to measure ambient air quality and deposition. The station is situated in Prince George's County, a suburban area near Washington, D.C., and contributes to the regional understanding of air pollution trends. The station is operated by Mactec, Inc. on behalf of the reporting agency, with the most recent sample collected on December 24, 2024. CASTNET stations typically measure criteria pollutants, particulate matter, and atmospheric deposition, supporting compliance with the US EPA Air Quality System (AQS) monitoring network. The data collected helps evaluate the effectiveness of emission reduction strategies under the Clean Air Act. As part of a national network, Beltsville plays a key role in tracking long-term changes in air quality and ecosystem health. Its location in the Mid-Atlantic region provides valuable data on urban and regional pollution transport. The station's continuous operation supports research on climate change, acid rain, and human health impacts, making it a critical asset for environmental monitoring in the United States.
Environmental context
The Beltsville station is situated in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, an area influenced by urban emissions from nearby metropolitan centers, agricultural activities, and interstate transport of pollutants. The station's measurements contribute to understanding regional ozone, particulate matter, and nitrogen deposition patterns. CASTNET's focus on long-term trends supports assessments of ecosystem acidification and eutrophication, particularly in sensitive areas like the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The site's representativeness is enhanced by its location away from direct local sources, providing background air quality data.
Frequently asked questions
The Beltsville air monitoring station is located at Powder Mill Rd, Laurel, Maryland 20708, United States. It is situated in Prince George's County, near the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.
The Beltsville station is part of the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET), a national air quality monitoring network operated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess the effectiveness of emission reduction programs.
CASTNET stations typically measure criteria pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, as well as atmospheric deposition of sulfur and nitrogen compounds. These measurements help track long-term trends in air quality and ecosystem health.
CASTNET provides data used to evaluate the effectiveness of emission reduction programs under the Clean Air Act. The network's long-term records help assess compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and inform policy decisions.
Beltsville's location in the Mid-Atlantic region provides background air quality data influenced by urban emissions from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, as well as agricultural sources. This helps scientists understand regional pollution transport and its impact on sensitive ecosystems like the Chesapeake Bay.
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