The Relationship Between Atmospheric Transport and the Particle Scattering Coefficient at the Grand Canyon |
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Authors: | Jonathan DW Kahl Desong Liu Warren H White Edward S Macias Luis Vasconcelos |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Geosciences , University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , Milwaukee , Wisconsin;2. Chemistry Department , Washington University , St. Louis , Missouri |
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Abstract: | Air trajectory and particle scattering data (bsp) for the period 1984-1989 are used to determine the relationship between atmospheric transport and visual air quality at the Grand Canyon National Park. Using cluster analysis, 72-hour back-trajectories arriving four times per day were grouped into distinct transport patterns. Northwesterly and southerly/southwesterly flow dominate in the winter and summer seasons, respectively. Comparisons of bsp values accompanying different transport patterns showed a clear relationship between air flow pathway and light scattering due to small particles during the non-summer months only. An index is defined which describes the percentage of annual trajectories belonging to specific transport routes delivering predominantly clear air to the GCNP. |
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