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Nonparametric Trajectory Analysis of CMAPS Data
Citation:
Henry, R. AND G. Norris. Nonparametric Trajectory Analysis of CMAPS Data. 2017 Air Quality Measurement Methods and Technology Conference, Long Beach, CA, November 07 - 09, 2017.
Impact/Purpose:
Presented at the 2017 Air Quality Measurement Methods and Technology meeting.
Description:
As part of the Cleveland Multiple Air Pollutant Study (CMAPS), 30-minute average concentrations of the elemental composition of PM2.5 were made at two sites during the months of August 2009 and February 2010. The elements measured were: Al, As, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ge, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, U, V, W, Zn and black carbon. These measurements were interpolated to 1-minute for analysis by Nonparametric Trajectory Analysis (NTA). Supplementing these were 1-minute measurements of the mixing ratios of gaseous species: NO, NOX, NO2, O3, CO, and SO2. Concentrations of PM2.5 zinc, cadmium and several other elements were strongly related by NTA to steel production at a basic oxygen furnace. Vanadium, nickel, and other elements were closely tied by NTA to an oil-fired power plant. NTA was used to evaluate sources during time periods when the steel plant was idled and when it was operating, providing an opportunity to evaluate NTA as well as identify additional sources. Another test of NTA is provided by comparing the results for the two CMAPS sites. The minute-by-minute back trajectories used by NTA were applied to calculate the footprint of the basic oxygen furnace and the power plant for summer and winter months. The footprint of a source is the area most impacted by the source. The area of influence of each of the two CMAPS sites for summer and winter months were also determined. The area of influence are the nearby geographic areas most likely to impact the measurement site.