Solar Radiation Measurements Augment Air Pollution Studies

Abstract

For several years an ongoing project at the U. S. Water Conservation Laboratory has dealt with the measurement and analysis of solar radiation. Generally, this study has been directed toward fulfilling the needs of agriculture. As a byproduct, however, much has also been learned about the particulate matter content of the air, since the work involved has all been carried out within the metropolitan Phoenix, Ariz. area. In this paper, the results of several years of research on the atmospheric transmission of solar radiation in this area are presented. These results are considered in light of concurrent meteorological conditions, and inferences are drawn with respect to spatial and temporal variations in airborne particulates. It is demonstrated that solar radiation measurements can greatly enhance our knowledge of air pollution dynamics.