Since a whole calendar year of aerosol data is not available, no analysis about the 20% worst haze days can be done. Based on the data available from 2/2003-12/2003, sulfate, dust and organics are all important contributors to haze at the Meadview.

In MEAD1, the average PM2.5 mass concentration during 2/2003-12/2003 is 4.5 mg/m3, and the average total light extinction coefficient (Bext) is 27 Mm-1 (Visual Range ~ 144 Km; Deciview ~ 10). Sulfate, OMC and CM are the largest contributors to haze, with an average contribution of 17%, 16% and 16%, respectively.  Figure 2 indicates that higher haze levels were found in October and the later spring and early summer. Sulfate, CM and organics each contributes ~ 20% to light extinction during June to July. In October, OMC and dust (CM + fine soil) each contributes more than 25% to light extinction.

Figure 1. Average contributions of major aerosol chemical components to light extinction

Figure 2. Average contributions of major aerosol chemical components to light extinction in each month