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SOURCE APPORTIONMENT METHODS APPLIED TO THE DETERMINATION OF THE ORIGIN OF AMBIENT AEROSOLS THAT AFFECT VISIBILITY IN FORESTED AREAS
Citation:
Stevens, R., T. Dzubay, C. Lewis, R. Shaw, AND Jr. SOURCE APPORTIONMENT METHODS APPLIED TO THE DETERMINATION OF THE ORIGIN OF AMBIENT AEROSOLS THAT AFFECT VISIBILITY IN FORESTED AREAS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/D-83/113 (NTIS PB83250340), 1983.
Description:
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.