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.