Main |
Site
Description |
Chemistry
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Meteorology |
Emissions |
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| Wichita Mountains
Wilderness Area |
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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 7.5 µg/m3, and the average total light extinction coefficient (Bext)
is 57 Mm-1 (Visual Range ~ 68 Km; Deciview ~ 17). Sulfate is the largest
contributor to haze, with an average contribution of ~ 43%. |
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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 April, May, August and September, in which ~35% of
the sampling days are the 20% haziest days at Wichita Mountains. |
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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, Sulfate is the largest aerosol
contributor to haze the whole year except January, with a contribution of
about 35 - 65% in the 20% worst days. Nitrate dominates light extinction in
January, and contributes ~ 44% to haze in the 20% worst days. |
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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 Breton consult the
aerosol description web page. |
