| Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) samples were taken at Corpus Christi, a semi-arid coastal area in South Texas. Continuous PM 2.5 mass was measured using two Tapered Elemental Oscillating Microbalances (TEOMs) at an urban site in Corpus Christi. Twenty-four hour samples were collected for the study period between April and May, 2000.; Among all the elements analyzed, silicon and sulfur had the highest concentrations. Among all the metals analyzed iron was found in significant amount.; Back trajectories calculated on days with high PM2.5 concentration and high potassium concentration showed that the air parcel passed over the Gulf of Mexico and over Yucatan in Mexico. During the high PM days there were smoke plumes associated with fires in the area suggesting that Corpus Christi was affected by the agricultural burning in Mexico and Central America. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
