Ohio EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Training
On Monday I held my fifth Ohio EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Training at Mezzacello Urban Farm. I was joined by the leadership of the Pickerington HS Environmental Club. They were a solid group, joined by their AP Biology teacher, Adam Philpot on their day off from school!
Three Ecologies and 12 Environmental Tools
A map of the volumetric ecologies above on and below Mezzacello Urban Farm
The students are my third cohort of kids I am training in the Environmental and Climate Justice Academy grant here at Mezzacello Urban Farm. The other two cohorts are middle school cohort that meets over three weeks on Tuesdays, a STEAM cohort of High School students who meet on Thursdays, and another STEM High School Cohort yesterday. The Pickerington HS Environmental Club took on all three ecologies in one day. We barely made it!
The Atmosphere
Students creating a YouTube Video on how to use atmospheric sensors in a field survey.
Team Atmosphere used a portable CO2 and TVOC and HCHO sensor to test the presence of the amount of CO2 and Total Volatile Organic Compounds and HCHO (Formaldehyde) present at two locations in and around Mezzacello Urban Farm. To no one’s surprise, the CO2 and TVOC levels were highest on parts of the farm closest to Broad Street, but negligible in the allee where trees and plants are plentiful.
They also took ambient temperature samples, and laser-derived surface temps in both locations. Finally they tested the barometric and hydroscopic levels in all three locations to build an atmospheric heat map of Mezzacello Urban Farm.
The Hydrosphere
Students from Pickerington High School Environmental Club conducting tests on the pond with a TDS, test strips, ammonia tests, and temperature sensors.
Team Hydrosphere used a portable TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) sensor to test the presence of the amount of potential pathogens and particles at Parts Per Million ans well as the average size and density distribution of these particles that were present at two water locations in and around Mezzacello Urban Farm. The pond proved to be remarkably pure with a PPM of 235 (potable, but cautious) and the Micron-scale particulates were at 6 which is negligible.
They also took samples from the Narnia fountain whose pummp had been disabled, but the water was still present. There they found that the water was highly polluted with acids (probably from evaporated bird droppings) and algae. They took temperature samples at both locations and found that the pond has a significant gradient of temperature and pH from the surface and to a level of 1m.
They also tested for pH in both locations and for the presence of Ammonia and laser-derived surface temps in both locations. Finally they tested the pressure and turbidity levels in all locations to build an hydrospheric heat map of Mezzacello Urban Farm.
The Pedasphere
Students from Pickerington High School Environmental Club testing the soil structures at Mezzacello Urban Farm
Team Pedasphere used a portable four in one sensor to test the amount of potential fertility, lumens, moisture, and pH as well as temperature, and soil textures at Mezzacello Urban Farm. They tested samples from the Mediterranean soil in the parterre gardens as well as planting soil in one of the raised beds. There they found that the fertility and moisture was low, but that was to be expected in that climate. Sunlight at 600 lumens in the light and 400 in the shade of the boxwood parterre was also acceptable.
Finally, they tested the pH of the Mediterranean bed and the raised bed. Both were at 6.5 which was comfortable, although the raised bed was dead and the moisture and fertility levels were extremely low. They recommended fertilizer and watering and then planting a cover crop to hold in moisture and nutrients over the winter.
They took temperature samples at both locations and found that the soil was consistently at 13C. The Mediterranean garden (planted with sage, thyme, and rosemary) was fine. Although they did observe a common weed in the mint family growing far enough away from the acidic boxwood to avoid the low pH, and an elm tree had taken sprout. They used AI to determine both of these species.
They also loaned their pH tester to the Hydrosphere team as the middle school cohort had used up all the available test strips! Oops, that was embarrasing. The Pedasphere team then created a soil fertility plan for locations around the farm to build an pedaspheric heat map of Mezzacello Urban Farm.
And a Little Meteorology Too!
Channel 10TV Meteorologist Michael Behrens came to Mezzacello to give a quick presentation on how he and the National Weather Service, NOAA, and the US Geographic Service use data, and trend analysis to track both weather in the immediate timeline and trends over time that are related to climate deviations. many thanks to 10TV and Wanda Dillard and the Ohio Sickle Cell Health Association, and Ohio EPA for that.
Next Steps
Each cohort of students visiting Mezzacello to test the environmental health of it using a variety of sensors for the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and pedasphere will get to take those sensors home. When they take these sensors back to their home or school where they will use them to teach others (as well as their YouTube videos) they will take an environmental assessment of their own and upload that data to Mezzacello.org. From that we will create a GIS Environmental and Climate Justice map to determine what we would suggest to help improve environmental conditions using new skills and data.
