Source apportionment methods applied to the determination of the origin of ambient aerosols that affect visibility in forested areas
An aerosol characterization, visibility, and receptor modeling study was conducted in the Shenandoah Valley, VA between July 14 and August 15, 1980. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the origin of the ambient particles, (2) determine the major chemical species contributing to the light extinction coefficient, (3) evaluate analytical methods to characterize aerosols, and (4) provide data for comparison with chemical composition of aerosols collected in the Great Smoky Mountains and in the Abastumani Mountains of Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. The factor analysis grouping along with additional supporting analytical data suggests the identity of emission sources contributing the fine and coarse particles measured in the Shenandoah Valley. From the elemental composition of the fine particles and trajectory analysis, it is inferred that the sulfate's origin is mainly coal-fired power plants.
- Research Organization:
- Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (USA). Environmental Sciences Research Lab.
- OSTI ID:
- 5505606
- Report Number(s):
- PB-83-250340; EPA-600/D-83-113
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Characterization of the aerosol in the Great Smoky Mountains
Characterization of Mojave Desert aerosols: Their effect on radiometer performance
Related Subjects
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COLLOIDS
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
DISPERSIONS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FEDERAL REGION III
FEDERAL REGION IV
FORESTS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
MOUNTAINS
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
POWER PLANTS
SOLS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA
VISIBILITY
WASTES