Evaluation of particulate trace species in southwest desert atmosphere

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es60131a002· OSTI ID:7211894

Moyers, J L; Ranweiler, L E; Hopf, S B; Kofte, N E

A sampling program using high-volume filter samples for studying the concentration and composition of particulate matter in the arid southwest (in and near Tucson, Ariz.) was established in January 1974. Through the use of statistical techniques and examination of enrichment factors, it is possible to make a number of suggestions regarding the sources for and the cycle of various species in the desert rural and urban atmosphere. Large particle airborne soil or crustal materials dominate the aerosol population found in both the urban and rural atmosphere with over a dozen of the measured species directly attributable to this source. Nonsoil species, in general, appear to be fairly well mixed and probably result primarily from nonurban anthropogenic and natural sources. The acid-base nature of airborne gases and particles would appear to control the gas and particle distribution of ammonia and to largely define the particulate sulfate speciation (primarily (NH/sub 4/)/sub 2/SO/sub 4/). Large seasonal fluctuations, consistent with the climatology and meterology for the area under investigation, are seen in the concentration and composition of particulate matter in the desert atmosphere.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Arizona, Tucson
• OSTI ID: 7211894
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 11:8; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
AMMONIA
ARID LANDS
COLLOIDS
DESERTS
DISPERSIONS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MONITORING
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
POLLUTION
RURAL AREAS
SAMPLING
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SOILS
SOLS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
URBAN AREAS
VARIATIONS