Particulate Matter Size, Distribution and Concentrations in the Lower Urban Atmosphere
Abstract
Aerosols and atmospheric gases continually alter the amount of radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Aerosols cause a direct climate forcing by reflecting some the solar radiation that would reach the Earth's surface. The uncertainty in the direct aerosol radiative forcing is due to the poorly know optical properties and the amount and distribution of aerosols in the atmosphere. In order to improve our knowledge of the role of aerosols in our environment, it is necessary to accurately estimate the aerosol radiative forcing and determine the size, distribution and concentration or aerosols in the atmosphere. A PC-2H Air Particle Analyzer QCM Cascade Impactor and a Multi-Filter Rotating Shadow-band Radiometer (MFRSR-7) are used to measure optical depth, particle size, distribution and horizontal spatial variability along with the impact of atmospheric conditions in lower urban atmosphere (less than 100 meters). Aerosol particles contribute significantly to the pollution of urban air. Monitoring particulate matter in urban air has important health implications, especially since asthma and other lung diseases in inner city communities are above the national average. Results on the size, distribution and concentration of particles at various low heights (less than 100 meters) and their relationship with aerosol optical depth and the impact of atmospheric conditions will presented. This research is supported by grants from NASA MU-SPIN, NASA Space Science and NSF LSAMP.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002AGUFM.A52B0111M
- Keywords:
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- 1704 Atmospheric sciences