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Sci Total Environ

Title:		Techniques to assess cross-border air pollution and application to a US-Mexico border region
Author(s):		Mukerjee S; Shadwick DS; Smith LA; Somerville MC; Dean KE; Bowser JJ;
Address:		"US Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA. mukerjee.shaibal@epa.gov"
Journal Title:		Sci Total Environ
Year:		2001
Volume:		276
Issue:		1-Mar
Page Number:		205 - 224
DOI:		10.1016/s0048-9697(01)00780-x
ISSN/ISBN:		0048-9697 (Print) 0048-9697 (Linking)
Abstract:		"A year-long assessment of cross-border air pollution was conducted in the eastmost section of the US-Mexico border region, known as the Lower Rio Grande Valley, in South Texas. Measurements were conducted on the US side and included fine particle mass (PM2.5) and elemental composition, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and meteorology. Wind sector analyses of chemical tracers and diagnostic ratios, in addition to principal component analysis (PCA), were initially applied to assess cross-border and overall air shed influences. Linear-angular correlation statistics [Biometrika, 63, (1976), 403-405] and nonparametric multiple comparisons between wind sectors were computed with the particle element data using principal component scores from PCA to determine the direction of source classes. Findings suggest crustal particles and salts carried or stirred by sea breeze winds from a southerly and southeasterly direction from the Gulf of Mexico heavily influenced the elemental composition of the particulate samples. Pair-wise comparisons of wind directions for the principal component scores suggest possible oil combustion influences from utilities or boilers coming from the south and possible coal combustion influences from the north and northwest. The techniques discussed can provide a methodology to assess future ambient levels and cross-border influences in the Valley as conditions change"
Keywords:		Air Movements Air Pollution/*analysis Coal Environmental Monitoring/*methods Incineration International Cooperation Mexico Organic Chemicals/analysis Power Plants Trace Elements/analysis United States Volatilization;
Notes:		"MedlineMukerjee, S Shadwick, D S Smith, L A Somerville, M C Dean, K E Bowser, J J eng Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Netherlands 2001/08/23 Sci Total Environ. 2001 Aug 10; 276(1-3):205-24. doi: 10.1016/s0048-9697(01)00780-x"