|
|
| |
| Guadalupe
Mountains
National Park |
| |
| The role of meteorology in the causes of haze |
| |
|
Figure 5 shows main flow direction from the northwest in
the cool season. Southeasterly flows from the Gulf of Mexico are dominant in
the summer. Dust is the major contributor to haze during the spring. |
| |
|
|
| Figure 5. Normalized residence time in January (top
left) and April (top right), July (bottom left) and October (bottom right)
(based on data in 2000-2002) |
| |
|
Figure 6 suggests that dust is most likely transported
from the western Texas and Mexico border, as well as southeastern Texas. |
| |
|
|
| Figure 6. Difference (left) and ratio (right) of
normalized residence time in 20% worst coarse mass days and all days in
2000-2002 (possible important source regions are shown up as blue in the
maps) |
| |
|
Sulfate is the largest contributor to aerosol light
extinction in the summer. Figure 7 suggests that sulfate is mainly
transported from the southeastern United States in the 20% highest sulfate
days. There are some important point sources such as the Carbon I and II
coal-fired Power Plants located in northern Mexico. These power plants are
among the largest SO2 point sources, and may contribute to the sulfate
loadings at the GUMO1 all around the year. |
| |
|
|
| Figure 7. Difference (left) and ratio (right) of
normalized residence time in 20% worst sulfate days and all days in
2000-2002 (possible important source regions are shown up as blue in the
maps). |
| |
|
|
| |
| For an in depth discussion on the role of meteorology
at Guadalupe Mountains see the
Meteorological
Discussion section. HYSPLIT backtrajectories for Guadalupe
Mountains can
be viewed in the
backtrajectory gallery page. |
| |
|
|
