ABSTRACT
In December 1994, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) initiated a comprehensive program, the PM10 Technical Enhancement Program (PTEP), to characterize fine PM in the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB). A 1-year special particulate monitoring project was conducted from January 1995 to February 1996 as part of the PTEP. Under this enhanced monitoring, HNO3, NH3, and speciated PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were measured at five stations (Anaheim, downtown Los Angeles, Diamond Bar, Fontana, and Rubidoux) in the SCAB and at one background station at San Nicolas Island. PM2.5 and PM10 mass and 43 individual species were analyzed for a full chemical speciation of the particle data. The PTEP data indicate that the most abundant chemical components of PM10 and PM25 in the SCAB are NH4+ (8-9% of PM10 and 14-17% of PM25), NO3- (23-26% of PM10 and 28-41% of PM25), SO4= (6-11% of PM10 and 9-18% of PM2 5), organic carbon (OC) (15-19% of PM10 and 18-26% of PM2.5), and elemental carbon (EC) (5-8% of PM10 and 8-13% of PM25). On an annual average basis, PM25 comprises 52-59% of the SCAB PM10. Annual average PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations showed strong spatial variations, low at coastal sites and high at inland sites. Annual average PM10 concentrations varied from 40.8 ug/m3 at Anaheim to 76.8 ug/m3 at Rubidoux, while annual average PM2.5 concentrations varied from 21.7 ug/m3 at Anaheim to 39.8 ug/m3 at Rubidoux. The chemical characterizations of the PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, as well as their spatial variations, were examined; the important findings are summarized in this paper, and the temporal variations are discussed in the companion paper.1.
ABSTRACT
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) conducted a 1-year special particulate monitoring study from January 1995 to February 1996. This monitoring data indicates that high PM10 and PM2 5 concentrations were observed in the fall (October, November, and December), with November concentrations being the highest. During the rest of the year, PM2.5 and PM10 masses gradually increased from January to September. Monthly PM10 mass varied from 20 to 120 |ig/m3, and monthly PM25 mass varied from 13 to 63 |j.g/m3. The PM2.5-to-PM10 ratio varied daily and ranged between 22 and 96%. Two types of high-PM days were observed. The first type was observed under fall stagnation conditions, which lead to high secondary species concentrations. The second type was observed under high wind conditions, which lead to high primary coarse particles of crustal components. The highest 24-hr average PM10 concentration (226.3 |ig/m3) was observed at the Fontana station, while the highest PM25 concentration (129.3 |ig/m3) was observed at the Diamond Bar station.
ABSTRACT
In February 1993, the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB) was redesignated as a "serious" nonattainment area for PM10. To improve the understanding and characterization of fine particulate matter in the SCAB, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) initiated a comprehensive PM10 Technical Enhancement Program (PTEP). Using enhanced PTEP monitors (specially designed multichannel/multifilter samplers), a one-year fine particulate matter (PM) monitoring program was initiated in January 1995. As part of the special monitoring program, nitric acid, ammonia, and speciated PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were measured at five locations in the SCAB (downtown Los Angeles, Anaheim, Diamond Bar, Fontana, and Rubidoux) and at one background station (San Nicolas Island). The PM2.5 data are the first spatially resolved speciated data collected in the SCAB on an annual basis. Within the SCAB, where nitrate is a major component of PM2.5, nitrate losses have been documented. The spatial and temporal variations of the nitrate losses during PM2.5 sampling and the uncertainties of the nitrate losses are discussed. Significant losses occur at a low mass range, between 10 and 50 ìg/m3. Significant gains occur at an even lower mass range of less than 30 ìg/m3. On an annual average basis, nitrate losses vary between 1.25 and 2.32 ìg/m3 and the SCAB-wide average value of nitrate loss is 1.8 ìg/m3 based on five PTEP stations in the SCAB. The maximum nitrate losses for each station vary from 6.4 ìg/m3 to 22.5 ìg/m 3. Theoretical prediction of the sampling efficiency of the nitrate during PM2.5 sam - pling was compared with the PTEP data. In general, theoretical prediction was in good agreement with measured values.
