Title : PM10 and TSP in air at McMurdo Type : Antarctic EAM NSF Org: OD / OPP Date : May 1, 1993 File : opp94002 Following is the abstract of a report prepared for the National Science Foundation. For a copy of the full report, contact the author. RESULTS OF PM10 AND TSP MONITORING AT MCMURDO STATION, ANTARCTICA [13 pages] by Robert M. Lugar EG&G Idaho, Inc. Environmental Technology Unit Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415-1406 May 1993 Interagency Agreement No. DPP-9102787 with U.S. Department of Energy Idaho Field Office Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402 Project Officer Dr. Sidney Draggan Environmental Officer Office of Polar Programs National Science Foundation Washington, D.C. 20550 ABSTRACT This report presents the results of ambient air monitoring of particulate matter performed during the 1992-1993 austral summer in the vicinity of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Thirty-three 24- hour samples were collected from three locations for determination of the concentration of particulate matter less that 10 micrometers (PM10), and seven samples collected for determination of total suspended particulate matter (TSP) concentration. Critical flow high volume air samplers with a sample flow rate of approximately 1.1 cubic meters per minute were used to collect the particulate matter on quartz fiber filters for subsequent gravimetric analysis. Sampling site selection, sampling procedures, and quality assurane procedures used were consistent with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidance for local ambient air quality networks. Mean austral summer PM10 levels in the McMurdo locale were 3 micrograms per cubic meter at the predominately upwind location, 9 micrograms per cubic meter at a location approximately 500 meters downwind of the station, and 16 micrograms per cubic meter at a "downtown" location. All PM10 results were below the U.S. National Air Quality Standard. TSP results at all locations were greater than PM10 concentrations, ranging from 8 micrograms per cubic meter at the upwind location to a maximum measurement of 276 micrograms per cubic meter at the "downtown" location. The initial baseline effort demonstrated that site selection and sampling equipment performance were satisfactory, and it provided useful data for assessing the impact of McMurdo operations on the local ambient air quality.