Environment Canada Launches
Air Quality Research Project

Edmonton, August 10, 2005 – Environment Canada has commenced a four week air quality research project in the Edmonton area called PrAIRie2005. The study, which runs from August 10 to September 10, 2005, will estimate the movement of pollutants across Central Alberta to examine chemical processes and evaluate the accuracy of air quality computer models.

Ongoing industrial development, and the increasing size of urban centres, emphasizes the need to better understand air quality issues in the Canadian Prairies. PrAIRie2005 is a joint effort, supported by Alberta Environment, West Central Airshed Association, Parkland Airshed Management Zone, Fort Air Partnership, the Canadian Forest Service, Millwoods Honda and Toyota Canada.

Environment Canada is bringing scientists and sophisticated instruments from across Canada to participate in PrAIRie2005. A Cessna 207 equipped with special laser technology will fly in a grid pattern collecting data on pollution and ground level ozone. The measurements will be compared with Environment Canada's high-tech mobile laboratories on the ground, and observation from Alberta Environment and local airsheds.

RASCAL (Rapid Acquisition Scanning Aerosol Lidar) is one of the mobile laboratories participating in PrAIRie2005. The laboratory operates in a converted motorhome equipped with a high-powered laser and telescope that provides images of the distribution of atmospheric particles.

Technical briefing and photo opportunity

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