Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

On the nature and origins of visibility-reducing aerosols in the Los Angeles air basin

Journal Article · · Adv. Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6858583
The paper presents the measurements of the light-scattering coefficient and chemical composition of ambient aerosols during smog periods in the Los Angeles air basin. The data are statistically analyzed to compute the effective scattering efficiencies of secondary aerosols, which can estimate the contributions of reactive gases to reduced visibility. Sulfate and nitrate compounds scattered more light than other constituents of the aerosol; the ratio of SO/sub 2/ and NOx concentrations to the concentration of tracers for major source types was consistent with the amounts of SO/sub 2/ and NOx in the basin. The estimated contribution of large stationary sources of SO/sub 2/ to reduced visibility was comparable to that of automobiles.
Research Organization:
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
OSTI ID:
6858583
Journal Information:
Adv. Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Adv. Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 9; ISSN AESTC
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English