Comprehensive Analysis of Elevated Sea Salt Aerosols in the Baltimore-Washington Corridor Since 2017

The yearly publication by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), titled "Our Nation's Air," functions as an extensive evaluation of the air quality all over the United States of America (USA). This report offers an essential understanding of the advancements made in decreasing air pollution while pinpointing areas requiring focused attention. In the 2023 edition of the report, observations were made regarding the Baltimore-Washington Corridor (BWC), a region of significance that profoundly influences the economic, cultural, and transportation fabric of the United States East Coast. Notably, there has been a discernible uptick in levels of sea salt aerosols in the BWC since 2017, a development that has sparked concerns about its implications for air quality, effects on human health, and the local climate. This work aims to thoroughly investigate the dataset pertaining to the composition of Particulate Matter (PM_2.5), with a specific focus on comprehending the sudden surge in sea salt aerosols within the BWC. This analysis takes a comprehensive look at the trends in concentrations and the variability of chlorine and chloride particulate matter aerosols from 2017 to 2021. The outcomes of this study provide a valuable repository of information for policymakers, researchers, and other invested parties, delivering crucial insights into the challenges posed by the calculation of sea salt aerosol particles.