Characterisation of TSP and PM2.5 at Izana and Sta. Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) During a Saharan Dust Episode (July 2002)

A strong African dust outbreak episode affecting the Canary Islands has been characterised at the Izana Observatory, and in the Marine Boundary Layer (MBL). A complete chemical and mineralogical characterisation has been performed for TSP and PM2.5 collected simultaneously at both sites. Saharan dust is characterised by relatively high levels of some trace elements such as As, Ba, Cr, Li, Mn, Ni, Sr, and Zn. At the MBL, the high concentration of coarse mineral and marine aerosols particles, the high RH, as well as the strong compression of the MBL during the Saharan episode, favour the reaction of gaseous pollutants of local origin, with the natural aerosols leading to the formation of high concentrations of secondary coarse Ca and / or Na sulphates and nitrates, as estimated from the ionic balance of concentrations of soluble ions.

ALASTUEY Andrés;  QUEROL Xavier;  CASTILLO Sonia;  AVILA Anna;  ESTARELLAS Catalina;  TORRES Carlos;  EXPOSITO Francisco;  GARCIA Omaira;  DIAZ J. Pedro;  VAN DINGENEN Rita;  PUTAUD Jean-Philippe; 

2005-10-26

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

JRC30744

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC30744,