NARSTO EPA Supersite Fresno: Multi-Wavelength Black Carbon Measurements, 1999-2006

Seven-wavelength aerosol absorption data collected from May 1999 to December 2006 at the EPA Fresno Supersite. A multiwavelength aethalometer measured black carbon equivalents at wavelengths of 370, 470, 520, 590, 660, 880, and 950 nm, with samples collected every five minutes through a size-selective cyclone. The data product originates from the NARSTO/EPA PM Supersites Program, which was designed to characterize particulate matter and its sources.

Use Cases

• Modeling black carbon source attribution based on multi-wavelength absorption signatures.
• Analyzing temporal trends in urban particulate matter concentrations over a 7.5-year period.
• Comparing aerosol measurement methods as part of the EPA's Supersites Program research priorities.
• Studying the relationship between traffic levels and black carbon concentrations near a moderate-traffic artery.

Strengths

• Data spans over 7.5 years, from May 1999 to December 2006.
• Measurements taken at seven specific wavelengths (370, 470, 520, 590, 660, 880, 950 nm) for detailed spectral analysis.
• Site location and surrounding environment are described in detail, providing context for urban pollution studies.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic and temporal bias inherent to a single monitoring site in Fresno.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Collected via a multiwavelength aethalometer (Model AE30S) with a size-selective cyclone limiting particles to ≤2.5 µm.

Time Range

May 1999 to December 2006

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-12 23:59:05.220310; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Fresno, California, USA (Supersite at 3425 First Street, ~1 km north of downtown)