NARSTO EPA Supersite: Los Angeles Particulate Matter Composition, 2000-2003

Size-fractionated particulate matter composition data collected from five sites in the Los Angeles Basin between late 2000 and late 2003. The data includes element/metals, carbon, nitrate/sulfate ion, and mass concentration measurements obtained using micro-orifice uniform deposit impactors (MOUDI) and analyzed via X-ray fluorescence. This dataset was produced under the NARSTO EPA Supersites Program, managed by NASA, to support research on particulate matter sources, distribution, and health effects.

Use Cases

• Modeling particulate matter source contributions based on size-fractionated chemical composition data.
• Analyzing temporal and spatial variability of air pollutants across the Los Angeles Basin monitoring sites.
• Studying the relationship between particle size (e.g., 10.0-2.5um, 0.32-0um) and chemical constituents like metals and ions.
• Evaluating and comparing measurement methods for atmospheric particulate matter as part of the Supersite program objectives.

Strengths

• Data collected from five distinct monitoring sites (Downey, Claremont, Riverside, Rubidoux, USC) providing spatial coverage.
• Includes multiple analyte types: element/metals, carbon, nitrate/sulfate ions, and mass concentration.
• Covers a multi-year time range from late 2000 to late 2003.
• Samples were analyzed at an independent laboratory using standardized methods (X-ray fluorescence, mass concentration analysis).

Limitations

• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Sample collection duration varied, with some samples collected for less than or more than one day, potentially affecting comparability.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) via the NARSTO EPA Supersites Program.

Collection Method

Samples collected using micro-orifice uniform deposit impactors (MOUDI) and Partisol samplers at fixed monitoring sites.

Time Range

late 2000 to late 2003

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-12 23:58:36.116388; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Los Angeles Basin, California, USA (sites at Downey, Claremont, Riverside, Rubidoux, University of Southern California).