NARSTO EPA Supersite Fresno: Particulate Nitrate and Sulfate Measurements

Nearly continuous measurements of particulate nitrate and sulfate in ambient air from the Fresno Supersite, collected from May 1999 onward. The data was produced by the EPA's PM Supersites Program and NASA, with samples collected every 8 minutes and analyzed every 2 minutes, resulting in a data output every 10 minutes. It was gathered at a site on First Street in Fresno, California, to characterize particulate matter for atmospheric science and health effects research.

Use Cases

• Analyzing temporal trends in particulate nitrate and sulfate concentrations based on the 10-minute measurement intervals.
• Modeling urban air pollution sources based on data from a site described as having moderate traffic and mixed commercial/residential surroundings.
• Evaluating and comparing continuous measurement methods for aerosols, as the program aimed to test new monitoring techniques.
• Studying the relationship between particulate matter components and potential health effects, a stated priority of the Supersites Program.

Strengths

• Provides nearly continuous measurements with a 10-minute temporal resolution.
• Data originates from a dedicated EPA Supersite established for high-priority atmospheric research.
• Includes measurements from two dedicated monitor types (nitrate and sulfate) using a described vaporization and decomposition analysis method.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The dataset includes file formats like BIN, PDF, and ISO which may require specific tools for access and interpretation.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), from the NARSTO/EPA PM Supersites Program.

Collection Method

Measurements from Rupprecht and Patashnick Ambient Particulate Nitrate and Sulfate Monitors, using impaction collection and thermal vaporization/decomposition analysis.

Time Range

From May 1999 onward.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-12 23:59:14.831156; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Fresno, California, USA, at 3425 First Street, approximately 1 km north of the downtown commercial district.