Analysis of aerosol composition and characteristics in a semi arid coastal urban area

A comprehensive study of aerosol composition and characteristics was performed for a semi-arid coastal urban airshed of Corpus Christi, Texas. Continuous fine particulate matter (PM2.5) data and speciation data from monitoring stations maintained by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in the study area during 2001-2004 was used for this analysis. Regional spatial analysis was performed using data from continuous monitoring stations maintained by TCEQ in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Brownsville and Laredo to assess the spatial extent of aerosol transport and distribution. Meteorological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, relative humidity and precipitation were found to affect PM concentrations. Episodic analysis was performed to evaluate the possible reasons for occasional high PM concentrations in the region. Agricultural burns in Mexico, transport of continental haze during high ozone episodes and emissions from local fire works were found to be the major events affecting the PM concentration within the study region. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...