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Continuous and filter-based measurements of PM2.5 nitrate and sulfate at the Fresno Supersite

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Abstract

PM2.5 nitrate \(\left( {\text{NO}_3^ - } \right)\) and sulfate (\({\text{SO}}_4^ = \)) were measured continuously with R&P8400N and R&P8400S instruments, respectively, and compared with filter-based measurements at the Fresno Supersite from October, 2000 through December, 2005. \({\text{NO}}_3^ - \) concentrations were higher in winter than summer with a long-term decreasing trend. Correlations between 24-h average continuous and filter-based \({\text{NO}}_3^ - \) were greater than 0.96 in 4 out of 5 years. Continuous \({\text{NO}}_3^ - \) was generally lower than filter-based \({\text{NO}}_3^ - \) although the difference decreased over time, from −52% in 2001 to +13% in 2005. These differences were similar in winter (−23%) and summer (−19%) while the corresponding differences between ambient and instrument temperature were −12 and 0.7°C, respectively. Neither seasonal nor long-term trends in \({\text{NO}}_3^ - \) can be explained by variations in ambient temperature, the difference between ambient and instrument temperature, or changes in aerosol chemical composition. There were no seasonal or long-term trends in \({\text{SO}}_4^ = \) concentrations, partially due to low concentrations observed in Fresno. Long-term variability in the performance of R&P8400 \({\text{NO}}_3^ - \) and \({\text{SO}}_4^ = \) instruments suggest that collocation with filter measurements is needed for long-term measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Atmospheric Sciences, Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV, USA

    Judith C. Chow, John G. Watson, Douglas H. Lowenthal, Kihong Park & Prakash Doraiswamy

  2. Research Division, California Air Resources Board, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Ken Bowers & Richard Bode

  3. The Research Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnology, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Korea

    Kihong Park

  4. Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA

    Prakash Doraiswamy

Authors
  1. Judith C. Chow
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  2. John G. Watson
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  3. Douglas H. Lowenthal
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  4. Kihong Park
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  5. Prakash Doraiswamy
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  6. Ken Bowers
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  7. Richard Bode
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Correspondence to Judith C. Chow.

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Chow, J.C., Watson, J.G., Lowenthal, D.H. et al. Continuous and filter-based measurements of PM2.5 nitrate and sulfate at the Fresno Supersite. Environ Monit Assess 144, 179–189 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-007-9987-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-007-9987-5

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