Characterization of PM and PM in the South Coast Air Basin of Southern California: Part 1-Spatial Variations.

In December 1994, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) initiated a comprehensive program, the PM Technical Enhancement Program (PTEP), to characterize fine PM in the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB). A 1-year special particulate monitoring project was conducted from January 1995 to February 1996 as part of the PTEP. Under this enhanced monitoring, HNO, NH, and speciated PM and PM concentrations were measured at five stations (Anaheim, downtown Los Angeles, Diamond Bar, Fontana, and Rubidoux) in the SCAB and at one background station at San Nicolas Island. PM and PM mass and 43 individual species were analyzed for a full chemical speciation of the particle data. The PTEP data indicate that the most abundant chemical components of PM and PM in the SCAB are NH+ (8-9% of PM and 14-17% of PM), NO (23-26% of PM and 28-41% of PM), SO= (6-11% of PM and 9-18% of PM), organic carbon (OC) (15-19% of PM and 18-26% of PM), and elemental carbon (EC) (5-8% of PM and 8-13% of PM). On an annual average basis, PM comprises 52-59% of the SCAB PM. Annual average PM and PM concentrations showed strong spatial variations, low at coastal sites and high at inland sites. Annual average PM concentrations varied from 40.8 ug/m at Anaheim to 76.8 ug/m at Rubidoux, while annual average PM concentrations varied from 21.7 ug/m at Anaheim to 39.8 ug/m at Rubidoux. The chemical characterizations of the PM and PM concentrations, as well as their spatial variations, were examined; the important findings are summarized in this paper, and the temporal variations are discussed in the companion paper..