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| Great Basin
National Park |
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| Chemical components
responsible for haze |
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The average PM2.5 mass concentration during the years
2001-2002 is 2.8 µg/m3, and the average total light extinction coefficient (Bext)
is 22 Mm-1 (Visual Range ~ 177 Km; Deciview ~ 7.9). Organic matter is the largest
contributor to haze, with an average contribution of ~ 18%. |
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| Figure 2. Average
contributions of major aerosol chemical components to light extinction
(Based on data available in 1997-2002) |
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Figure 3 suggests that the highest occurrence of the 20%
worst days happened in August and September, in which more than 47% of
the sampling days are the 20% haziest days at GRBA. |
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| Figure 3. Percentage of
sampling days that are 20% worst days in each month (Based on data available
in 1997-2002) |
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As shown in Figure 4, Organics are the largest aerosol
contributor to haze from July to October, January and December during which
the contribution of
OMC to haze is about 20 - 30% in the worst days. Both sulfate and OMC
contribute ~ 15-20% in the 20% worst days in other periods of the year. CM
contributes 27% in the worst days in February. |
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| Figure 4. Average
contributions of major aerosol chemical components to light extinction
during 20% worst days in each month (Based on data available in 1997-2002) |
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| For a detailed examination of
the aerosol characteristics at GRBA consult the
aerosol description web page. |
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