Estimating the near-surface daily fine aerosol load using hourly Radon-222 observations

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dc.contributor.authorCrawford, Jen_AU
dc.contributor.authorZahorowski, Wen_AU
dc.contributor.authorCohen, DDen_AU
dc.contributor.authorChambers, SDen_AU
dc.contributor.authorStelcer, Een_AU
dc.contributor.authorWerczynski, Sen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2015-09-29T01:35:33Zen_AU
dc.date.available2015-09-29T01:35:33Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2013-01-01en_AU
dc.date.statistics2015-09-18en_AU
dc.description.abstractWe investigate the extent to which hourly radon observations can be used to estimate daily PM2.5 loading near the ground. We formulate, test and apply a model that expresses the mean daily PM2.5 load as a linear combination of observed radon concentrations and differences on a given day. The model was developed using two consecutive years of observations (2007–2008) at four sites near Sydney, Australia, instrumented with aerosol samplers and radon detectors. Model performance was subsequently evaluated against observations in 2009. After successfully reproducing mean daily radon concentrations (r2≥0.98), we used the model to estimate daily PM2.5 mass, as well as that of selected elements (Si, K, Fe, Zn, H, S and Black Carbon). When, parameterizing the model for elemental mass estimates the highest r2 values were generally obtained for H, BC, K and Si. Separating results by season, the r2 values for K and BC were higher in winter for all sites, a period of time where higher concentrations of these elements are seen and a rapid estimation tool would be of particular benefit. The best overall results were obtained in winter for H and BC [r2 = 0.50, 0.68, 0.70, 0.63 (H) and 0.57, 0.57, 0.78, 0.44 (BC)], respectively for Warrawong, Lucas Heights, Richmond and Muswellbrook. Evaluation of model PM2.5 estimates was most successful for days with typical aerosol loads; loads were usually underestimated for, the less frequent, high–to–extreme pollution days. The best elemental results were obtained for BC at Richmond in winter (r2 = 0.68). However, for Warrawong and Lucas Heights r2 values increased from 0.26 to 0.60, and from 0.33 to 0.73, respectively, when several particularly high concentration events were excluded from the analysis. The model performed best at Richmond, an inland site with relatively flat terrain. However, model parameters needto be evaluated for each site. © 2013, Atomospheric Pollution Research (APR).en_AU
dc.identifier.citationCrawford, J., Zahorowski, W., Cohen, D. D., Chambers, S., Stelcer, E., & Werczynski, S. (2013). Estimating the near-surface daily fine aerosol load using hourly Radon-222 observations. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 4(1), 1-13. doi:10.5094/apr.2013.001en_AU
dc.identifier.govdoc6088en_AU
dc.identifier.issn1309-1042en_AU
dc.identifier.issue1en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleAtmospheric Pollution Researchen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination1-13en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.5094/apr.2013.001en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/6240en_AU
dc.identifier.volume4en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherAtmospheric Pollution Research (APR)en_AU
dc.subjectAerosolsen_AU
dc.subjectRadonen_AU
dc.subjectAustraliaen_AU
dc.subjectPollutionen_AU
dc.subjectRegression analysisen_AU
dc.subjectSamplingen_AU
dc.titleEstimating the near-surface daily fine aerosol load using hourly Radon-222 observationsen_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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