Kurian, Steven. Spatial and temporal trends of organic and elemental carbon as a component of PM2.5 within the New York metropolitan area. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3SJ1M0K
DescriptionThe goal of the project is to identify the spatial and seasonal patterns of Organic Carbon (OC), Elemental Carbon (EC) and fine particle mass (PM2.5 ) in the NY City metropolitan area. This information is needed to assist with the development of State Implementation Plans (SIPs) for the control of fine particles in the NY City tri-state area and Mid-Atlantic Region, in order to meet EPA air quality standards. This study investigates the carbonaceous fraction of PM2.5 in the NY City metropolitan area over an annual cycle from May 2002 to May 2003 to provide detailed analyses of the OC and EC carbon components and insights into their possible sources. Two sampling networks, the Speciation of Organics for Apportionment of PM2.5 (SOAP) and the Speciation Trends Network (STN) provided separate measurements of OC and EC. It was found through linear regression analysis that the SOAP network sampling equipment measured OC and EC ambient mass concentrations values consistently lower than the STN EC and OC concentrations were compared between a heavily trafficked site, such as Elizabeth, NJ (NJ Turnpike, Toll Plaza 13), and a rural background site, Chester, NJ. Urban Queens, NY and suburban Westport, CT locations also were monitored as intermediate traffic sites with high to moderate population density. Time series data showed that all sites showed an OC and EC peak during the winter, while the Chester, NJ site had a peak of OC in the summer. The Chester site also had a high peak of the OC/EC ratio in the summer as well. From this, it was determined that motor vehicle traffic, a primary source of PM2.5, EC and OC mass was found to dominate at the Elizabeth, NJ site, whereas at the rural low traffic Chester, NJ site, secondary OC mass showed greater input.