The Air Quality Monitoring Team (AQMT) at UC Davis has operated the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) ambient speciated particulate monitoring network since its inception in 1988. Beginning in 2015, AQMT took on the laboratory analysis and data handling for the Chemical Speciation Network (CSN). These two networks encompass over 300 sites delivering over 60 PM2.5 species across the country every third day.
FT-IR is a non-destructive which allows the filter samples to be analyzed by other non-destructive methods such as gravimetric for mass, XRF for elements, HIPS for light absorption, or destructive methods such as ion chromatography for ions or GC/MS for organic compounds after FT-IR analysis. FT-IR analysis and multivariate calibrations measure TOR-equivalent OC and EC, Functional groups such as aliphatic CH, carboxylic acids, carboxylates, non-acid carbonyl and alcohol OH (carbohydrates), Inorganic ions including sulfate, nitrate and ammonium, Soil elements and PM mass.
For questions on ordering services contact Ann Dillner.
CSN (Chemical Speciation Network) is a long-term national monitoring program for the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Created in 2000 as a response to support implementation of the 1997 PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) as well as the 1999 Regional Haze Rule (regulations for states to establish goals in improving visibility), CSN is a PM2.5 sampling network with sites located principally in densely populated areas.
