Overview
WMRC/NCORE is an air monitoring station in Bishop, California, operated by the Great Basin Unified APCD. It is part of the NCORE network, providing continuous ambient air quality data for the region.
WMRC/NCORE is an air monitoring station located at 3000 E. Line St., Bishop, California, within Inyo County. Operated by the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District, it is part of the NCORE network, which focuses on long-term, high-quality measurements of criteria pollutants and meteorological parameters. The station is operational and contributes to the US EPA's Air Quality System (AQS) monitoring network. The station's technical scope includes continuous monitoring of pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides, as well as meteorological variables like wind speed and direction. As part of the NCORE network, it adheres to rigorous quality assurance protocols to ensure data representativeness and comparability. The station's siting in Bishop, a rural area in the Owens Valley, provides valuable background air quality data for the region. Environmentally, WMRC/NCORE plays a key role in tracking air quality trends in the Great Basin region, which is influenced by both local sources (e.g., dust from dry lake beds) and transported pollution. The data supports regulatory compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and informs public health advisories. The station's long-term record aids in understanding climate and air quality interactions in this sensitive arid ecosystem.
Environmental context
The Bishop area lies in the Owens Valley, a region characterized by arid climate and frequent dust events from dry lake beds like Owens Lake. Air quality monitoring here is critical for assessing particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) levels, which can exceed health standards during high-wind events. The station's location provides representative data for rural background conditions, complementing urban monitors in California. Its inclusion in the NCORE network ensures high-quality measurements of criteria pollutants and meteorological parameters, supporting both regulatory compliance and scientific research on air quality in the Great Basin.
Frequently asked questions
The WMRC/NCORE air monitoring station is located at 3000 E. Line St., Bishop, California, in Inyo County, United States.
As part of the NCORE network, the station monitors criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and nitrogen oxides, along with meteorological parameters.
The station is operated by the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (Great Basin Unified APCD).
NCORE (National Core) is a network of air monitoring stations in the United States that provides high-quality, long-term measurements of criteria pollutants and meteorological parameters to support air quality management and research.
The station contributes data to the US EPA's Air Quality System (AQS), which is used to assess compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and to inform public health advisories.
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