Mingo National Wildlife Refuge Visual Air PollutionCamera
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The Missouri Department of Natural Resources thanks Dan and Julie Walker of McGee, Missouri , for allowing installation of this public service camera on their property. |
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(High speed connection recommended)
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(Good visibility low haze day)
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(Poor visibility rainy day )
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(Poor visibility high haze day)
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(Current view )
(Updated every 15 minutes) 
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(Yesterday's movie)
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General Information
We do not always enjoy a clear view in many natural areas in the United States. At times, a white or brown haze hangs in the air and affects the view. This haze is not natural. It is caused by manmade air pollution, often carried by the wind hundreds of miles from where it originated.
Typical visual range in the eastern United States is 15 to 30 miles, about one-third of what it would be without manmade air pollution. In the West, the typical visual range is 60 to 90 miles, about one-half of the visual range under natural conditions.
Haze is caused by fine particles that scatter and absorb light before it reaches the observer. As the number of fine particles increases, more light is absorbed and scattered, resulting in less clarity, color and visual range.
Five types of fine particles contribute to haze: sulfates, nitrates, organic carbon, elemental carbon and crustal material. The importance of each type of particle varies across the country and from season to season. Details on each particle type are provided below:
- Sulfate particles form in the air from sulfur dioxide gas and are the largest contributor to haze in the eastern U.S. Most of this gas is released from coal-burning power plants and other industrial sources, such as smelters, industrial boilers and oil refineries.
- Organic carbon particles can be emitted directly into the air, but can also form in the air as a reaction of various gaseous hydrocarbons. Sources of organic carbon particles include motor vehicles, solvent evaporation (e.g., paints), food cooking and various commercial and industrial sources. Gaseous hydrocarbons emitted naturally from trees also form some of these particles.
- Nitrate particles form in the air from nitrogen oxide gas. This gas is released from virtually all combustion activities, especially those involving cars, trucks, off-road engines, power plants and other industrial sources.
- Elemental carbon particles are very similar to soot. These particles are emitted directly into the air from virtually all combustion activities, but are especially prevalent in diesel exhaust and smoke from the burning of wood and wastes.
- Crustal material is very similar to dust. It enters the air from dirt roads, fields and other open spaces as a result of wind, or other surface activities. Crushing and grinding larger, earth-born material also generates crustal material.
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