Date of Award

2024-08-01

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Physics

Advisor(s)

Rosa M. D. Fitzgerald

Abstract

Using the data from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the El Paso city throughout the years from 2021 to 2024 Particulate Matter (PM2.5) was measured to examine the seasonal distribution and sources. This study aims to understand the seasonal variability of PM2.5 concentrations, identify the significant impact of wildfire events on this and source apportionment.The analysis begins with a comprehensive examination of PM2.5 data from TCEQ highlighting the seasonal pattern, it was found that fine particulate matter was more prevalent in winter and tends to be down in spring, and in summer it is relatively lower, subsequently in the fall tends to go higher again. The mass concentrations of fine PM tend to be increased in winter compared to summer, which could be a result of local anthropogenic activities in winter such as- biomass burning, agricultural combustion in that area. A case study of 2021 wildfire event is conducted to assess the impact of PM2.5 levels on El Paso- Juarez region and the concentration of PM was compared for this region. For Juarez, the data was collected from the Air quality monitoring stations there. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model is utilized to trace the air masses contribution for high PM2.5 concentrations. The High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model was used to utilize the meteorological conditions during the wildfire event. Furthermore, a Eulerian photochemical dispersion model- Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions (CAMx) was used to simulate a high Particulate Matter (PM2.5) episode occurring in El Paso and the PM Source Apportionment Technology, PSAT, methodology was used to find the PM sources. A Photoacoustic Extinctiometer (PAX) operating at 870nm was employed to examine the soot concentrations during the wildfire event to show the effect on PM concentrations. In this study it was found significant seasonal variation in PM2.5 levels, and notable spike during the wildfire events. The HYSPLIT and HRRR analyses indicate that air masses from wildfire prone areas substantially contribute to the PM2.5 concentrations.

Language

en

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

File Size

76 p.

File Format

application/pdf

Rights Holder

Fatema Tuz Zohora

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Included in

Physics Commons

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