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Composition and Distribution Analysis of Bioaerosols Under Different Environmental Conditions
Published on: January 7, 2019
Estimating variation and sources of dust in Puente Jobos, Puerto Rico using a PM10 sensor network
Amara L Holder1, Sarah Pender2, Gavin Lau2
1U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, 109 T. W. Alexander Drive, PO Box 12055, Durham, NC 27711, United States.
ACS ES&T Air
|June 17, 2026
Summary
This study used optical particle counters (OPCs) to monitor particulate matter (PM10) in Puerto Rico. The sensors effectively identified pollution sources like coal plants and sea spray, improving air quality monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Air Quality Monitoring
- Chemical Analysis
Background:
- Puente Jobos, Puerto Rico, faces significant inhalable particulate matter (PM10) pollution from diverse sources.
- Sources include a coal-fired power plant, road traffic, sea spray, and Saharan dust transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a network of optical particle counter (OPC) sensors for PM10 monitoring.
- To assess the correlation between OPC measurements and traditional filter-based Federal Reference Method (FRM) data.
- To identify PM10 sources and spatial variations within the community.
Main Methods:
- A seven-month field study utilizing OPC sensor network and daily FRM measurements (PM10 mass, black carbon, trace elements).
- Development of a local correction algorithm for OPC sensor performance using internal relative humidity and smallest size bin concentration.
- Application of Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) for source apportionment.
Main Results:
- OPC PM10 measurements showed strong correlation with FRM-based PM10 concentrations.
- A locally developed correction improved OPC sensor performance.
- PM10 concentrations were significantly higher in the southern community, near coastal areas and the power plant.
- PMF identified seven major sources: coal operations (ash, stack emissions, other processes), sea salt, crustal material, diesel/oil combustion, and demolition debris.
Conclusions:
- Lower-cost OPCs are valuable tools to supplement FRM measurements for PM10.
- OPC networks can effectively identify PM10 sources and their spatial-temporal variations in a community.
- This approach enhances understanding of air quality challenges in diverse environments.
