NARSTO Texas PM2.5 Sampling and Analysis Study: 1997-1998

Summary:

The City of Houston, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, and the Houston Regional Monitoring Network sponsored sampling and analysis of PM2.5 samples taken over the course of one year, from 03/11/1997 to 03/12/1998. Objectives of the study were to determine the levels and chemical composition of PM2.5 in Houston and other cities in Texas and to determine the background levels and chemical composition of PM2.5 transported into Houston.

Acknowledgment:

McMullen, Gene. 2000. NARSTO Texas PM2.5 Sampling and Analysis Study: 1997-1998. Available online from the Langley Atmospheric Science Data Center, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, U.S.A.

Table of Contents:

1. Data Set Overview:

Data Set Identification:

Texas PM2.5 Sampling and Analysis Study: 1997-1998

Data Set Introduction:

The City of Houston, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, and the Houston Regional Monitoring Network sponsored sampling and analysis of PM2.5 samples taken over the course of one year, from 03/11/1997 to 03/12/1998.

Objective/Purpose:

Objectives of the study were to determine the amount and chemical composition of PM2.5 in Houston and other cities in Texas and to determine the background levels and chemical composition of PM2.5 transported into Houston.

Summary of Parameters:

Discussion:

During the sampling effort, 24-hour PM2.5 mass measurements were acquired from 15 sites throughout the state of Texas, using DRI's MEDVOL particle samplers. All of the Teflon filters were analyzed for mass by gravimetry and a selected subset of the Teflon and quartz fiber filters were subjected to full chemical analysis.

Related Data Sets:

Not Applicable.

Investigator(s):

Investigator(s) Name and Title:

Title of Investigation:

Texas PM2.5 Sampling and Analysis Study: 1997-1998

Contact(s) Name, Address, Telephone, Fax, and E-mail:

2. Applications:

These measurements were taken in anticipation of the U.S. EPA revising PM2.5 and PM10 NAAQS. These results could be used to establish background PM conditions and determine compliance with new PM standards. Various sampler configurations allow evaluation of data precision, accuracy, and validity.

3. Theory of Measurements:

Not Applicable.

4. Acquisition Materials and Methods:

Please refer to the companion reference document by Tropp et al., 1998, for materials and methods descriptions.

5. Preparation and Description:

Data Description:

Spatial Characteristics:

Spatial Coverage:

Temporal Characteristics:

Temporal Coverage:

03/11/1997 - 03/12/1998

Temporal Coverage Map:

Not Applicable.

Temporal Resolution:

Daily

Data Characteristics:

Please refer to the Data Description Companion Document for all data characteristics documentation.

Sample Data Record:

These data files are in the NARSTO Data Exchange Standard Format. This format is described in detail in the NARSTO Data Management Handbook (ORNL/CDIAC-112) and is available at ( http://cdiac.esd.ornl.gov/programs/NARSTO/). The Data Exchange Standard uses ASCII files that are self-documenting with numerical and character fields of varying length separated by commas (i.e., *.csv).

Data Organization:

Data Granularity:

This data set contains two data files:
Mass measurements of PM2.5 samples
(narsto_txpm25_tx_13stns_texaspm25_mass_a_1day_1997-03-11_1998-03-12_r1_q2.csv)
and
Chemical composition of PM2.5 samples
(narsto_txpm25_tx_13stns_texaspm25_chem_a_1day_1997-03-11_1998-03-12_r1_q2.csv)

A general description of data granularity as it applies to the IMS appears in the EOSDIS Glossary.

Data Format:

These data files are in the NARSTO Data Exchange Standard Format. This format is described in detail in the NARSTO Data Management Handbook (ORNL/CDIAC-112) and is available at ( http://cdiac.esd.ornl.gov/programs/NARSTO/). The Data Exchange Standard uses ASCII files that are self-documenting with numerical and character fields of varying length separated by commas (i.e., *.csv).

Data Manipulations:

Please refer to the companion reference document by Tropp et al., 1998, for descriptions of all data manipulation and processing.

Quality Assessment:

The QSSC performed routine range checking of dates, times, and measurement values.

Data Verification by Data Center:

The Langley Data Center performs an inspection process on the data received by the data producer via ftp. The Data Center checks to see if the transfer of the data was completed and delivered in their entirety.

6. Notes and Plans:

Please refer to the companion reference document by Tropp et al., 1998, for any specific data usage notes, data limitations, and other relevant study information.

7. Products and Access:

Contact Information:

Data Center Identification:

NASA Langley Research Atmospheric Science Data Center

Procedures for Obtaining Data:

The Langley Data Center provides web interfaces that allow direct access to its data holdings for immediate downloading, for placing media orders, for searching the data holdings, and for ordering prepackaged CD-ROMs and videocassettes. All of these methods are easily accessible from the Langley Data Center web site.

Data Center Status/Plans:

The Langley Data Center will continue to archive these data.

Output Products and Availability:

Data sets are available via ftp or on 8mm and 4mm tape.

Software:

Software Description:

Not Applicable.

Software Access:

Not Applicable.

8. References:

9. Glossary and Acronyms:

Glossary of Terms:

EOSDIS Glossary.

List of Acronyms:

10. Document Information: