Overview
Crockett is an Air Monitoring Station in Morgan County, Kentucky, part of the CASTNET network. It provides ambient air quality data for the region, operated by Mactec, Inc.
Crockett is an Air Monitoring Station located along State Highway 437 near West Liberty, Kentucky, in the United States. It operates under the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET), a national program that monitors ambient air quality to assess the effectiveness of emission reduction policies. The station is managed by Mactec, Inc. and reports data to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As part of CASTNET, Crockett measures key atmospheric parameters including ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, along with meteorological variables. The network follows rigorous quality assurance protocols to ensure data accuracy and comparability across sites. This station contributes to the long-term record of air quality trends in the Appalachian region, which is influenced by both local sources and regional transport of pollutants. The environmental significance of Crockett lies in its role within the broader U.S. air monitoring framework. Data from this station supports regulatory compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and informs research on ecosystem effects of air pollution. Its rural location provides a baseline for understanding background air quality and the impact of distant emission sources.
Environmental context
The Crockett station is situated in a rural area of eastern Kentucky, characterized by forested hills and low population density. This setting is representative of regional background air quality, away from major urban or industrial sources. The monitoring of criteria pollutants and atmospheric deposition here helps assess the influence of long-range transport from power plants and other sources in the Ohio River Valley. CASTNET's focus on ecosystem effects makes this site valuable for studying the impact of air pollution on sensitive forest ecosystems in the Appalachian region.
Frequently asked questions
The Crockett station is located on State Highway 437 near West Liberty, in Morgan County, Kentucky, United States.
Crockett is part of the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET), which monitors ambient air quality across the United States.
As a CASTNET site, Crockett measures ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and meteorological parameters to assess air quality and atmospheric deposition.
The station is operated by Mactec, Inc., under contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
CASTNET data helps the EPA evaluate the effectiveness of emission reduction programs under the Clean Air Act, track long-term trends, and inform policies to protect public health and ecosystems.
Other Air Monitoring Station plants in United States · 6 nearby