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This page updated
August 26, 2003 |
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| The PM2.5 monitoring network includes multiple elements with different, yet overlapping objectives. The two main elements of the network are the mass and chemical speciation networks. |
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| The type of monitor used to measure PM2.5 mass concentrations depends on the monitoring objective. Federal Reference Method (FRM) gravimetric filter-based samplers are the only samplers currently approved to provide data for determining the attainment status for an area. Continuous mass monitors are used to collect data for understanding diurnal and episodic behavior of fine particles, transport assessment, and for use by health scientists investigating exposure patterns. |
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| The major objectives for the chemical speciation program are to develop emission control strategies, track trends of selected PM2.5 constituents over time, and assist in health studies and other ambient aerosol research. The chemical speciation network uses multiple instruments, from traditional filter-based to chemical-specific continuous instruments, to measure concentrations of significant PM2.5 constituents, including trace elements, sulfate, nitrate, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and carbon. |
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| The table below outlines the major network elements. |
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| PM2.5 Network Elements |
| Network Element |
Target Species |
Sampling Frequency |
Site Deployment Status |
| Mass Concentration |
| FRM Mass |
Mass |
Everyday,
one-in-3 day,
or one-in-6 day |
81 deployed |
| Continuous Mass |
Mass |
Continuous |
33 deployed,
11 planned |
| Filter Based Speciation |
| NAMS |
Elements, Ions, Carbonaceous Aerosols |
One-in-3 day |
7 deployed |
| SLAMS |
Elements, Ions, Carbonaceous Aerosols |
One-in-3 day
or one-in-6 day |
10 deployed |
| IMPROVE |
Elements, Ions, Carbonaceous Aerosols |
One-in-6 day |
17 deployed,
1 planned |
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Detailed listings of the PM2.5 monitoring sites, types of monitors deployed at each site, and a summary of PM2.5 mass data collected at each FRM site are available in the following three documents:
- Appendix A, which provides a table of FRM sites in California along with the operating agency, type of monitor, date of first valid sample, sampling schedule, and supporting lab, can be downloaded as a 106K Microsoft Word file or as a 30K Acrobat file.
- Appendix B, which includes a table of existing and planned PM2.5 monitoring sites in California along with types of PM2.5 mass and speciation samplers operating at each site, can be downloaded as a 120K Microsoft Word file or as a 36K Acrobat file.
- Appendix C, which includes a summary of PM2.5 FRM mass data at each monitoring site, can be downloaded as a 290K Microsoft Word file or as a 88K Acrobat file.
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| The 2002 California PM2.5 Monitoring Network Description also includes a map showing the locations of the 81 FRM sites and a map showing the locations of the continuous mass monitoring sites. |
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| Please send questions or comments to: aqdweb@arb.ca.gov. |
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