The second major variable in the study was the choice of locations for testing the
cleaners. Did the biological growth found on headstones differ by location? Would
bacteriai, algaes, or fungi dominate in some locations and not in others? How would
climatic differences affect cleaning decisions? Would some cleaners perform better in
some geographic areas and worse in others? To look at these issues, the team felt it was
important to choose cemeteries that were geographically and climatically distinct.
Climate is the trends in weather patterns over an extended period of time. Two of the
most important factors determining an area's climate are air temperature and
precipitation. One way to classify climatic zones is using the Kˆppen Climate
classification system. Within this system, five major climate types are classified based
on average temperatures and precipitation, and designated by a capital letter. Subgroups
are designated by a second, lower case letter which distinguish specific seasonal
characteristics of temperature and precipitation. Further variations are noted by
additional subgroups.4
In addition to climatic zones, NCA cemeteries are assigned to Memorial Service
Networks (MSNs) based on their geographic location. The MSN offices are located in
Philadelphia (MSN 1), Atlanta (MSN 2), Denver (MSN 3), Indianapolis (MSN 4) and
Oakland (MSN 5).
|
Cemetery
|
History
|
Climate Zone
|
Climate
Description
|
San Francisco
National Cemetery,
San Francisco, CA
MSN 5 ñ Oakland, CA
|
First burial:
1850
The site was formerly
part of an military post
established by the
Spanish, continued by
Mexico, and
seized by
the United States
Forces during the
Mexican War.
|
Zone Csb, using the
Kˆppen
Climate
classification system,
Mediterranean
Climate
|
This region is
characterized
by
temperate wet winters
contrasting with warm
or hot summers.† The
average annual
rainfall is between 15
and 55 inches and
occurs between
November and April.
|
Santa Fe National
Cemetery,
Santa Fe, NM
MSN 3 ñ Denver, CO
|
First burial:1868
Original interments
are
the remains of
265 United States
Soldiers for the
battlefields
of Glorieta,
Koslouskys, and the
Old Fort March
(General
Kearneyís
Camp of 1847).
|
Zone Bsk,
Semi-arid steppe
climate
|
The steppe climate
is
characterized by hot
summers
and cold
winters with 10 to 20
inches of rain or
snowfall
a year.† It is
similar to a praire.
|
Jefferson Barracks
National Cemetery
St. Louis, MO
MSN 4 ñ
Indianapolis, IN
|
First burial: 1827
The national cemetery
included the old Post
Cemetery containing
burials made as early
as 1827 from the
Garrison of Jefferson
barracks.††
|
Zone Dfa,†
Humid continental
|
This region is
characterized
by a
humid, cold climate
with harsh winters and
year-round
precipitation.
|
Alexandria National
Cemetery,
Pineville, LA
MSN 2 ñ Atlanta, GA
|
First burial: 1867
The
cemetery
contains burials from
the civil war through
the present.
|
Zone Cfa
Humid Sub-tropical
|
This region is
characterized
as a
mild climate with no
dry season, and a hot
summer
|
Bath National
Cemetery,
Bath, NY
MSN 1 ñ
Philadelphia, PA
|
First burial: 1879
The cemetery was
originally a part of the
New York State
Soldiers and Sailors
Home, which was
established in 1877
|
Zone Dfb
Humid continental
|
This region is
characterized as a
humid
climate with
severe winter, no dry
season, and a warm
summer.
|
Table 4. Cemeteries chosen for this study, assigned to a typical climatic zone.
Based on climatic and geographic distribution, five cemeteries were chosen for the study
(see Table 4.) They include San Francisco National Cemetery, Santa Fe National
Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Alexandria National Cemetery, and
Bath National Cemetery.
4 Kˆppen Climate Classification System, see
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/climate.htm, and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koppen_climate_classification.