Extended Abstract (44K)4.1
Impact Of Meteorology on the Fine Particulate Matter Distribution in Central and South eastern Ohio
Ieesuck Jung, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX; and S. Kumar, K. John, and K. Crist
This paper presents the results of detailed analyses of the air quality issues, especially about fine particulate matter, affecting the urban, suburban and rural areas in Ohio. The core focus of this study was to evaluate regional scale PM problems in Ohio using data monitored by the School of Health Sciences at these sites at Ohio university during 1999-2000. Methodologies used in this study include time series analysis, correlation analysis, and meteorological analysis using back trajectory analysis and cluster analysis. The time series analysis showed exceedances of the 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS of 65 µg/m3 at the urban site but no exceedances were noted at the suburban and rural sites during 1999-2000. Monthly PM2.5 distribution and monthly percentile distributions indicated that the mean PM concentrations were high during the summer months, especially during June and July, and low during the winter months. It was found that the hourly PM2.5 median values at the three school sites showed peak levels between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m., the main rush hour in a day, and it gradually increased during the late afternoon hours. Temperature, wind speed, and wind direction were well correlated with PM2.5 concentrations during this period. High PM2.5 concentration levels were generally observed when wind speeds were lower than 8 mph and temperatures were higher than 70 F and the PM2.5 concentrations were observed to be high when the winds were blowing from the south and southeast direction. A correlation between two neighboring monitors in close proximity each other showed a spatial homogeneity in the distribution of PM2.5. Cluster analysis of all back trajectories in high PM days showed that air parcels traveling from the southwest were associated with high PM. The highest average PM concentrations were noted along the west and north trajectories. PM2.5 concentrations were also correlated with other pollutants. Results from these numerous statistical analysis are presented in this paper.
Session 4, particulates, aerosols, and related phenomena (PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SESSION START TIME HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM)
Monday, 20 May 2002, 1:30 PM-4:00 PM
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