American Association for Aerosol Research - Abstract Submission

AAAR 32nd Annual Conference
September 30 - October 4, 2013
Oregon Convention Center
Portland, Oregon, USA

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Evaluation of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Ultrafine Particulate Matter (PM0.1) in the Airshed of Tijuana, BC - San Ysidro, CA Border

JAVIER EMMANUEL CASTILLO QUIÑONES, Guillermo Rodriguez, Penelope Quintana, Nina Bogdanchikova, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Tijuana, México

     Abstract Number: 153
     Working Group: Urban Aerosols

Abstract
The location of the Tijuana-Rosarito-San Diego within the same air basin has generated implications deteriorating air quality. Recent studies indicate that the levels of PM2.5 and PM0.1 in urban air show a high correlation with carbon monoxide (CO) and black carbon (BC) which are associated with vehicle emissions. This study presents the results of the evaluations performed in 3 simultaneous monitoring sites in Tijuana, México, and 3 monitoring sites in San Ysidro, USA, during the Cal-Mex campaign in 2010, to understand the spatial and temporal variability in fine and ultrafine particulate matter, to identify the potential source areas, and to assess the cross-border transport of these air pollutants.

Overall, during the campaign, PM2.5 and PM0.1 concentrations at sites located in Tijuana was 1.6 and 1.7 times greater than that presented in the sites of San Ysidro, respectively. PM2.5 and PM0.1 15 minutes average concentrations (± SD) for sites in San Ysidro was 16.2 (± 10.1) µg/m3 and 5186 (± 2635) pt/cm3, whereas for sites in Tijuana was 26.6 (± 19.8) µg/m3 and 8919 (± 4577) pt/cm3.

Average PM2.5 values ​​show the trend of presenting high concentrations during daytime and low concentrations during nighttime. BC levels are up 10-20% compared to the levels of PM2.5 and this relationship is consistent with other studies that evaluated air quality by mobile sources. Correlation between concentrations of BC and PM2.5 indicate that probably generating emission sources are the same, suggesting that the main source is the fleet. Averages of PM0.1 presented at both sites were higher in daytime, which indicates that probably the biggest contribution is from mobile sources. In UABC, one of the measurements site in Tijuana, presents high levels of PM0.1 were observed at 13:00-14:00 and 02:30-03:30 hrs. due to plentiful arriving and departed aircrafts those times in the city's airport.