Mobile-Platform Measurement of Air Pollutant Concentrations in California: Performance Assessment, Statistical
Paul A Solomon1, Dena Vallano2, Melissa Lunden3
1Independent consultant, Henderson, Nevada, 89052, USA, formerly with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Las Vegas, NV, 89119, USA.
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
|September 9, 2021
Summary
Mobile platforms equipped with research-grade instruments provide high-resolution air quality data, revealing significant spatial variations in pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and ozone within urban areas. This technology effectively quantifies pollution differences over short periods, aiding source identification and atmospheric studies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Mobile Sensing Technologies
Background:
- Urban air pollution characterization requires high spatial and temporal resolution data.
- Traditional stationary monitoring networks have limitations in capturing localized pollution gradients.
- Mobile sensing platforms offer a novel approach to detailed air quality mapping.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a mobile measurement platform for characterizing urban air pollution spatial variations.
- To assess the accuracy and precision of research-grade instruments mounted on a mobile platform.
- To develop and demonstrate a data analysis method for quantifying spatial pollutant differences while accounting for diurnal effects.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mobile platform with research-grade instruments mounted on Google Street View cars.
- Conducted on-road air quality measurements at high temporal (1-second) and spatial resolution in California (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Joaquin Valley).
- Employed weekly performance checks, periodic audits, and comparisons with stationary regulatory monitors to ensure data quality.
- Developed a data analysis approach to isolate spatial variations from diurnal influences.
Main Results:
- The mobile platform effectively quantified spatial variations in air pollutant concentrations over two-week periods.
- Instruments reliably measured nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), methane (CH4), black carbon (BC), and particle number (PN) with high accuracy.
- Demonstrated significant spatial differences in NO2 (up to 117%) and O3 (up to 46%) at a 1-km scale in San Francisco.
- Observed substantial spatial variations (factors of 6-8) at 100-300m scales in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Conclusions:
- Mobile measurement platforms are effective tools for detailed urban air quality assessment.
- High-resolution mobile data can reveal localized pollution hotspots and gradients previously uncharacterized.
- The developed data analysis method successfully characterizes spatial variations, improving understanding of urban atmospheric processes.
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