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Published September 3, 1987 | public
Book Section - Chapter

Pollutant Deposition in Radiation Fog

Abstract

A study of atmospheric pollutant behavior was conducted in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California during periods of stagnation, both with and without dense fog. Measurements were made of gas-phase and aerosol pollutant concentrations, fogwater composition, and deposition of solutes to surrogate surfaces. Deposition rates for major species were 5 to 20 times greater during fogs compared to nonfoggy periods. Sulfate-ion deposition velocities measured during fog were 0.5 to 2 cm s^(-1). Rates measured for nitrate ion were generally 50% below those for sulfate, except for acidic fog (pH<5) conditions, because nitrate was less effectively scavenged by neutral or alkaline fogs. In radiation fogs, scavenging of ambient aerosol was observed to increase as liquid water content rose. The lifetimes for atmospheric sulfate and ammonium were short (6-12 h) during dense fog compared to the ventilation rate (>3 d) for valley air.

Additional Information

© 1987 American Chemical Society. Received January 12, 1987. We are grateful to the California Air Resources Board for their financial support (CARB A4-075-32) and their assistance in the field during this project. We are also grateful for the cooperation of the personnel at the Bakersfield Airport, the National Weather Service office in Bakersfield, and the Buttonwillow Recreation Department.

Additional details

Created:
August 19, 2023
Modified:
January 13, 2024