THE ORIGIN AND FATE OF AIRBORNE POLLUTANTS

WITHIN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

VOLUME 3 - WINTER FIELD STUDY

by

Meteorology Research, Inc. California Institute of Technology Division of Chemistry and Chemical

T. B. Smith Engineering D. E. Lehrman

D. D. Reible F. H. Shair

Prepared for California Air Resources Board

Apri 1 10, 1981

The statements and conclusions in this report are those of the Cnntractors and not necessarily those of the State Air Resources Board. The mention of commercial products, their source or their use in connection with material reported herein is not to be construed as either an actual or implied endorsement of such products.

i i

Characteristic wind flow in the valley during stable periods is

toward the center of the valley and northward at night. By late forenoon,

the flow in the southern end of the valley usually becomes northwesterly fnr r.oml"HJ.:ti l n.fwith upslope components. The latter provides a mechanism I,._,, I '-111VYUI I VI

low level air from the valley during the daytime.

Tracer releases from Fresno and Chowchilla during the November

December program showed similar characteristics. A slow drift toward the

north was observed during the late afternoon and evening. A slow drift

toward the south occurred during the following morning. Most of the tracer

appeared to be within a 70 mile radius of the release site after 24 hours.

During the afternoon of the day following release the tracer diluted rapidly by vertical mixing.

Releases in the southern end of the valley (Bakersfield, Valley Acres

and Lost Hills) showed the influence of afternoon upslope winds. Tracer

material was carried upslope during the afternoon but much of it returned to

the valley during the evening in drainage flow. During the night the drainage

winds carried the material across the valley. On occasion, the material

appeared on the opposite side of the valley by early forenoon. By late fore

noon the tracer material spread throughout the southern end of the valley and was carried upslope by the characteristic afternoon wind pattern.

Two tracer releases were carried out in February and March 1979 but without meteorological and air quality support. More pronounced

stability resulted in longer residence times in the valley than observed in the November-December period. It was estimated that 1/2 of the tracer material

remained in the valley after 60 hours.

i V

ABSTRACT

An extensive observational program was started in 1978 to investigate the origin and transport of pollutants in the San Joaquin Valley. Three

field programs were carried out. The present volume (Volume 3) describes the

results of the 15 November to 10 December intensive field study. Volumes 4

and 5 describe the summer (July 1979) and fall (September 1979) programs, respectively. Participants in the study were Meteorology Research, Inc.,

California Institute of Technology, Rockwell International (EMSC) and

Environmental Research and Technology (ERT).

Five tracer releases provided the core of the November-December field

program. These releases were supported by supplementary meteorological ob

servations and airborne air quality sampling. Three Rockwell International

vans operated continuously in the valley to provide additional air quality

data. Filter samples obtained at each of the vans were analyzed by ERT to

evaluate the particulate chemistry in the area.

Overall air pollution conditions in the valley during the November-

December field program were analyzed and compared to historical periods from

previous years. Temperatures at 850 mb (reflecting the potential for air

pollution accumulation) averaged below normal for the field study period but

with occasional periods of above normal temperatures. Maximum pollutant con

centrations observed during the program were slightly less than those recorded

in the valley during November-December 1977 or 1979. It is concluded that

the tracer studies were conducted under representative but not extreme pollu

tion conditions for that time of year.

Ozone concentrations observed during the field program were low

(maximum .08 ppm) and relatively uniform throughout the valley. CO and NOx

concentrations reflected strong urban sources and were closely related to

peak traffic periods. S02 concentrations were highest near Oildale. Timing

of the S02 peaks suggested transport from nearby source areas.

iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT List of Tables List of Figures 1. Introduction 2. Overview of Meteorology and Air Quality 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Meteorology 2.3 Air Quality 2.4 Particulates 3. Tracer Summaries 3.1 Test 1 15-16 November 1978 - Chowchilla Release

(1100-1600 PST) 3.2 Test 2 18-19 November 1978 - Fresno Release

(1200-1700 PST) 3.3 Test 3 25-26 November 1978 - Bakersfield Release

(1200-1700 PST) 3.4 Test 4 29-30 November 1978 - Elk Hills Release

(1200-1700 PST) 3.5 Test 5 8-9 December 1978 - Lost Hills Release

(1400-2030 PST) 3.6 Tracer Test 6 6-7 February 1979 - Lost Hills Release 3.7 Tracer Test 7 6-7 March 1979 - Lost Hills Release 4. Summary of Individual Tracer Tests 5. Conclusions

Page

i i i vi vi ii 1-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-9 2-15 3-1

3-1

3-24

3-52

3-80

3-115 3-144 3-150 4-1 5-1

V

List of Tables (Continued)

Table No. Page

3.5.1 Surface Winds at Lost Hills, December 8-9, 1978 3-117 3.5.2 1000-foot Winds, December 8-9, 1978 3-117 3.5.3 Aircraft Mixing Heights 3-118 3.5.4 Maximum Pollutant Concentrations, December 8, 1978 3-123 3.5.5 1300 PST Visibilities 3-123 3.5.6 Air Quality Measurements CARB San Joaquin Va 11 ey Project

December 8, 1978 3-126 3.5.7 Air Quality Measurements CARB San Joaquin Valley Project

December 9, 1978 3-134

vi i

LIST OF TABLES

Table No.

2.2.1 2.2.2 2.3.i 2.3.2 2.3.3 2.3.4 2.3.5 2.4.1

2.4.2

3.1.1 3.1.2 3.1.3 3.1.4 3.1.5 3.1.6

3.2.1 3.2.2 3.2.3 3.2.4 3.2.5 3.2.6

3.2.7

3.3.1 3.3.2 3.3.3 3.3.4 3.3.5 3.3.6

3.3.7

3.4.1

3.4.2 3.4.3 3.4.4 3.4.5 3.4.6

3.4.7

3.4.8

Page

Stagnation Periods 2-3 Climatological Stagnation Episodes 2-4 Maximum Hourly Concentrations (November-December) 2-10 Maximum Hourly Concentrations (November-December) 2-11 Daily CO Maximum - December 7-15, 1978 2-12 Maximum Nitrogen Oxides Concentrations (ppm) Nov-Dec 78 2-13 Time of Maximum Concentration (PST) November-December 78 2-14 Average Total Particle (diameter

List of Figures (Continued)

3. 3.11 Aircraft Sounding - November 26, 1978 3. 3. 12 Aircraft Sounding - November 26, 1978 3.3.13 Aircraft Sounding - November 26, 1978 'J 'J , /I ..., • ..,I. J. "T Hourly Tracer Concentrations 3.3.15 Sampler Locations 3.3.16 Sampler Transport Paths 3.4.1 Surface Weather Map - November 29, 1978 3.4.2 Surface Streamlines - 29 November 1978 (13 PST) 3.4.3 Surface Streamlines - 29 November 1978 (22 PST) 3.4.4 Surface Streamlines - 30 November 1978 (10 PST) 3.4.5 Maximum Hourly Ozone Concentrations (ppm) -

November 29, 1978 3.4.6 Sampling Routes - 28 November 1978 3.4.7 Aircraft Sounding - November 28, 1978 3.4.8 Aircraft Sounding - November 28, 1978 3.4.9 Aircraft Sounding - November 28, 1978 3. 4. 10 Sampling Routes - 29 November 1978 3.4.11 Aircraft Sounding - November 29, 1978 3.4.12 Aircraft Sounding - November 29, 1978 3. 4. 13 Aircraft Sounding - November 29, 1978 3.4.14 Sampling Routes - 30 November 1978 3.4.15 Aircraft Sounding - November 30, 1978

Aircraft Sounding - November Ju, 1978 3. 4. 17 Aircraft Sounding - November 30, 1978 3. 4. 18 Hourly Tracer Concentrations 3. 4. 19 Sampler Locations 3.4.20 Sampler Transport Paths 3. 5. 1 Surface Weather Map - December 8, 1978 3.4.2 Surface Streamlines - 8 December 1978 (16 PST) 3. 5. 3 Surface Streamlines - 8 December 1978 (01 PST) 3.5.4 Surface Streamlines - 8 December 1978 (13 PST) 3. 5. 5 Maximum Hourly Ozone Concentrations (ppm) -

December 8, 1978 3.5.6 Sampling Routes - 8 December 1978 3.5.7 Aircraft Sounding - December 8, 1978 3.5.8 Aircraft Sounding - December 8, 1978 3.5.9 Aircraft Sounding - December 8, 1978 3.5.10 Aircraft Sounding - December 8, 1978 3.5.11 Sampling Routes - 9 December 1978 3.5.12 Aircraft Sounding - December 9, 1978 3.5.13 Aircraft Sounding - December 9, 1978 ') t::. , /I Hourl_y Tracer Concentrations.J • .J. J,. "1' 3. 5. 15 Sampler Locations 3.5.16 Sampler Transport Paths 3.6.1 Hourly Tracer Concentrations 3.6.2 Sampler Locations 3.6.3 Sampler Transport Paths 3. 7. 1 Hourly Tracer Concentrations 3.7.2 Sampler Locations 3.7.3 Sampler Transport Paths 3.7.4 SF5 Concentration - Wasco - Test 73.7.5 SF5 Concentration - Old River - Test 7

Page

3-71 3- 72 3- 73 3- 75 3-76 3- 79 3-81 3-83 3-84 3-85

3-89 3-91 3-93 3-94 3-95 3-97 3-99 3-100 3-101 3-103 3-105 3-106 3-107 3-109 3-110 3-114 3-116 3-119 3-120 3-121

3-122 3-125 3-127 3-128 3-129 3-130 3-133 3-135 3-136 3-139 3-140 3-142 3-145 3-146 3-149 3-151 3-152 3-155 3-157 3-158

ix

Figure No.

2. 2. 1

2.2.3 2.2.4

3.1. 1 3.1. 2 3.1. 3 3. 1.4 3.1. 5

3.1. 6 3.1. 7 3.1. 8 3.1. 9 3. 1. 10 3. 1. 11 3. 1.12 3.1.13 3.1.14 ., ') 1 .;. '-• .L

3.2.2 3.2.3 3.2.4 3.2.5

3.2.6 3.2.7 3. 2. 8 3.2.9 3.2.10 3.2.11 3.2.12 3.2.13 3.2.14 3. 2. 15 3. 2. 16 3.3.1 3. 3. 2

3.3.4 3.3.5

3.3.6 3. 3. 7 3.3.8 3.3.9 3.3.10

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

850 mb Temperatures and Visibilities, November-December 1978 2-2

') CSurface Streamlines - 8 December 1978 (22 PST} c.- J Surface Streamlines - 8 December 1978 (13 PST) 2-6 Resultant Surface Winds - Low Visibility Conditions

November-December 1978 2-8 Surface Weather Map - November 15, 1978 3-2 Surface Streamlines - 15 November 1978 (13 PST) 3-3 Surface Streamlines - 15 November 1978 (19 PST) 3-4 Surface Streamlines - 16 November 1978 (19 PST) 3-5 Maximum Hourly Ozone Concentrations (ppm) -

November 15, 1978 3-9 Sampling Routes - 15 November 1978 3-11 Aircraft Sounding - November 15, 1978 3-13 Aircraft Sounding - November 15, 1978 3-14 Aircraft Sounding - November 15, 1978 3-15 Aircraft Sounding - November 15, 1978 3-16 Aircraft Sounding - Nover:iber 15, 1978 3-17 Hourly Tracer Concentrations 3-19 Sampler Locations 3-20 Sampler Transport Paths 3-22 Surface Weather Map - November 18, 1978 3-25 Surface Streamlines - 18 November 1978 (16 PST) 3-26 Surface Streamlines - 19 November 1978 (01 PST) 3-27 Surface Streamlines - 19 November 1978 (07 PST) 3-28 Maximum Hourly Ozone Concentrations (ppm) -

November 18, 1978 3-31 Samplinq Routes - 17 November 1978 3-34 Aircraft Sounding - November 17, 1978 3-36 Aircraft Sounding - November 17, 1978 3-37 Aircraft Sounding - November 17, 1978 3-38 Aircraft Sounding - November 17, 1978 3-40 Sampling Routes - 18 November 1978 3-41 Aircraft Sounding - November 18, 1978 3-43 Aircraft Sounding - November 18, 1978 3-45 Hourly Tracer Concentrations 3-48 Sampler Locations 3-49 Sampler Transport Paths 3-51 Surface Weather Map - November 25, 1978 3-53 Surface Streamlines - 25 November 1978 (13 PST) 3-54 Surface Streamlines - 25 November 1978 (19 PST) 3-55 Surface Streamlines - 26 November 1978 (07 PST) 3-56 Maximum Hourly Ozone Concentrations (ppm) -

November 25, 1978 3-61 Sampling Routes - 25 November 1978 3-63 Aircraft Sounding - November 25, 1978 3-65 Aircraft Sounding - November 25, 1978 3-66 Aircraft Sounding - November 25, 1978 3-67 Sampling Routes - 26 November 1978 3-69

viii

Two additional tracer tests were carried out by Cal Tech as follows:

Release Location Date Release Time {1979) {PST}

Lost Hi 11 s February 6-7 2000-0800

Lost Hi 11 s March 6-7 2030-0800

These tests were conducted outside of the scope of the original contracts

and were not supported by meteorology and air quality measurements. They are in

cluded in the present report since they provide additional information of value

in developing a year-round understanding of dispersion in the valley.

The present volume (Volume 3) discusses the details of the winter field program including all pertinent tracer and aircraft sampling data. Surface and

pibal wind data have been furnished to GARB on magnetic tape. Separate reports

(Volumes 6 and 7) give the details of the Rockwell International and ERT work,

respectively. Portions of these reports have been used in the present volume,

where appropriate.

Volumes 4 and 5 of the report series include the details of the summer

and fall intensive programs, respectively. Volume 2 provides an extended summary of the entire program and a discussion of a number of special analysis

topics which resulted from the field measurement programs. Volume 1 is an Executive Summary of the program.

1-2

1. Introduction

Winter months in the San Joaquin Valley are characterized meteorolo

qically by stable periods with light winds interrupted by occasional cold

frontal passages with moderate to strong winds. These frontal passages scour

out the valley and effectively remove most of the pollutants. The effective

ness of the stabilizinq process after a frontal passage is evidenced by the

rapid decrease in visibility throughout the valley. These restricted visi

bility periods continue until the next trough passage.

The stable, light wind periods between trough passages offer the

potential for air pollution build-up. The restricted visibilities provide

some evidence of the potential problem. A winter intensive field program was

carried out in November-December 1978 to evaluate the extent of this problem.

The objectives of the winter field program were:

1. To investigate the transport and dispersion character

istics in the valley.

2. To evaluate the ventilation budget of the valley.

3. To characterize the air quality and the particulate

chemistry during the winter periods.

In view of the difficulties in carrying out a field program covering the

entire valley, the winter program was concentrated in the southern half where

the greatest potential for pollutant huild-up seemed to exist.

The winter field program consisted of five tracer releases as listed

below. Each release was supported by pibal wind soundings and aircraft measure

ments which provided air quality and temperature structure information. Three

Rockwell International air quality vans were positioned at Reedley, the Rockwell Radome facility south of Bakersfield and at Lost Hills. Environmental Research

and Technology (ERT) provided filter samplers which were operated at each van.

Analyses and interpretation of the filter samples were carried out by ERT.

The followinq tracer releases were carried out during the winter program:

Release Location Date Release Time

(1978) (PST) Chowchilla November 15 1100-1600

Fresno November 18 1200-1700

Bakersfield November 25 1200-17 00

Valley Acres November 29 1200-1700 Lost Hills December 8 1400-2030

1-1

N I

N

.," e;

,~ +'

.

2. Overview of Meteoroloqy and Air Quality

2. 1 Introduction

The followinq sections describe the general conditions which

during the winter intensive field period in November-December 1978.

occ

The

urred

over

all meteorological conditions are summarized and compared to climatological

records to determine the representativeness of the test period. Descriptions

of air quality and particulate concentrations for the intensive period are

summarized from the more extensive reports by Rockwell International and ERT

which appear as Volumes 6 and 7 of this report.

2.2 Meteorology

850 mb Temperatures

Late fall and early winter in the San Joaquin Valley are characterized

by stable periods punctuated by occasional cold frontal passages. Durinq these

intrusions of cold air, instability and strong winds tend to scour out the

valley, removinq most of the pollution which accumulates during the stable

oeriods.

Fiqure 2.2.1 shows the distribution of 850 mb temperatures at Vandenberq

AFB for the period of November-December 1978. Such temperatures have been used

frequently (e.g., Smith, Giroux and Knuth, 1977) to characterize regional air

pollution potential. Warm temperatures aloft lead to stable temperature lapse

rates and qreater potential for trapping of pollutants in the surface layers.

November and December mean 850 mb temperatures are included in Figure 2.2.1 for

a comparison with climatoloqy. The data indicate that the November-December 1978

period had lower averaqe 850 mb temperatures than normal but showed some periods

of above averaqe temperatures.

Tracer test periods are shown in block form in Figure 2.2.1. All tests

were conducted in relatively stable periods with the exception of Test 5 which

was carried out in a rapidly stabilizing situation where the first two days of

the test period differed considerably in their stability characteristics.

2-1

From Table 2.2.1 it can be seen that the stagnation tends to be a valley-wide

phenomenon with some tendency for the southern part of the valley to be

affected to a greater degree.

In comparison with the data in Table 2.2.1, the following table shows

the climatological occurrence of such stagnation episodes.

Table 2.2.2

CLIMATOLOGICAL STAGNATION EPISODES (196 7- 77)

Mean No. Days Maximum Du rat ion Per Month in 11-Year Period

Stockton

November 14.4 days 10 days

December 19.3 16

Fresno

November 20.6 19 nn.,...omhnrvc::'--..;:;111uc:;1

?n n c...v.v 19

Bakersfield

November 16.6 14

December 18.9 18

Comparison of the stagnation episode data in the two tables indicates

near normal but not extreme conditions during the November-December 1978 field

period.

Surface Winds

Under conditions where synoptic pressure gradients do not influence the

valley (conditions of restricted visibility) diurnal patterns in the surface

wind patterns were apparent in the November-December intensive period. These

patterns are illustrated in typical fashion for the southern part of the valley

in Figures 2.2.2 and 2.2.3.

During the night (Figure 2.2.2) drainage winds occur on both sides of the

valley creating an apparent zone of convergence near the center (indicated by

dashed line). The nature and structure of the zone are unclear. Essentially,

2-4

Visibilities

Figure 2.2.1 includes a plot of the 1300 PST visibility at Bakersfield

for the November-December 1978 period. Durinq the winter, restricted visi

bility in the valley is a simple indicator of the extent of the pollutant

trappinq which exists on any given day. It is to be noted in the fiqure that

the visibility plot during the two-month period has a very strong neqative

correlation with respect to the 850 mb curve. Warm temperatures aloft corre

late extremely well with restricted visibilities. It is apparent from the

figure that the result of the cold air trough passages is to flush out the

valley from a pollutant standpoint. Major cases of flushing (November 22,

December 2 and December 6-8) are associated with the lowest 850 mb temperatures at Vandenberg. The rapidity of the stabilizing influence following a

trough passage is apparent in the rapid return to low visibilities following

the cold air intrusion.

The visibility trends during the winter can therefore be used as an

indicator of the degree and frequency of flushing of the valley. For this

puroose, a criterion was established which defined the existence of flushing

as a day on which the visibility achieved a level of 10 miles or more at any

time during the day. This arbitrary definition then permits the length of

stagnation (pollutant-accumulation) periods to be tabulated.

According to this definition, stagnation periods occurred during the

field intensive period as follows:

Table 2.2.1

STAGNATION PERIODS

Stockton Fresno Bakersfield

November 13-20 (8 days) November 14-18 (5 days) November 12-17 6 days) November 25-30 (6 days) November 24-30 (7 days) November 20-30 (11 days)

December 4 (1 day) December 4 (1 day) December 5-8 ( 4 days) December 10 ( 1 day)

Total 15 days 14 days 21 days

2-3

I

! I 0 5

SCAL[ 10 ·~ 20

MILES

Figure 2.2.3 Surface Streamlines - 8 December 1978 (13 PST)

2-6

•

•

•

~

•

0

~ '\ \

i_~ , -\ I ,\ . _,...

-, '"" ----- "

SCALE 0 !I 10 l!I 20

MiLES

Figure 2.2.2 Surface Streamlines - 8 December 1978 (22 PST)

2-5

P.M.(PST)A.M. ( PST)

I I 1 C

STOCE TO!\

FRESJ\C

22 1' 1'

I JC

BAKERSFIELD

Jc

0 2 m/•

Figure 2.2.4 Resultant Surface Winds - Low Visibility Conditions November-December 1978

2-8

two dense layers of air flow down the slopes toward the center of the valley.

The nature of the interaction between the two fluid streams depends on the

relative densities of the streams as well as their velocity fields. These

may vary somewhat from night to night.

During the forenoon the drainage flow is eliminated and is replaced

by an upslope flow (Figure 2.2.3). As indicated, the flow is upslope in all

direct ions and suggests that some air (and pollutant material) can be trans

ported out of the valley during a part of the day.

If the low visibility days (visibility

Table 2.3.1

MAXIMUM HOURLY CONCENTRATIONS

(NOVEMBER-DECEMBER)

03(ppm) CO (ppm)

Location Field Field 1977 1978 1979 1977 1978 1979

Bakersfield •06 ,07 18 16 17

Coalinga .07 .06 .08 4 4 5

Five Points .08 .06 •06 2 5 2 Fountain Springs .08 Squaw Valley .10 .06

FNO-Butler .07

FNO-CSU •05 13

FNO-Downtown .06

FN0-01 i ve .08 .05 .05 23 18 28

Hanford .05 •09

Lindsay .08 .06

Los Banos .07 .06 .08 McKittrick .08

Merced •07 .06 11 7

Modesto .04 .03 .06 22 13 18

Oil dale .05 .08 7

Shaver Lake .09 .05

Stockton 21 10 18

Taft .03 •07

Turlock .07 .06 .05

Visalia .08 .07 .10 15 11 12

Reedley .07 3.6

Radome .07

Lost Hi 11 s • 07

2-10

2. 3 Ai r Qua l ity

Tables 2.3.1 and 2.3.2 give the maximum hourly concentrations of various

parameters as observed during the winter intensive field program (November 15 -

December 10, 1978). Concentrations observed at Reedley, Radome and Lost Hills

are also included as determined by the Rockwell International vans. For com

parison the maximum concentrations for November-December 1977 and 1979 are shown

where available. Comparison of the data obtained during the field period with 1977 and

1979 data indicates that, in almost every case, peak concentrations during the

field program were slightly less than occurred in 1977 and 1979. This conclusion

corresponds with that reached in the previous section, i.e. , the meteoro 1 ogi cal conditions were slightly less conducive than average to high pollutant potential

although a number of relatively high pollutant days were experienced.

Ozone

Maximum hourly concentrations shown in Table 2.3.1 indicate a narrow range

of values throughout the valley. In keeping with the lateness of the season,

photochemistry effects are small compared to summer and fall periods. Even the

major urban downwind areas do not show the effects of significant ozone increases.

Similar results are shown for 1977 and 1979 although there are some indications

that downwind areas (Shaver Lake, Squaw Valley) experienced slightly enhanced

ozone values.

The re \•le re ::a n11mh.o.,... n

in this case the small quantities of nitrogen oxides do not indicate

a reactive depletion of the ozone. Si~ilar occurrences are observed in some

of the rural areas where CARB stations are located. For example, at Squaw

Valley most of the ozone concentrations recorded between midnight and 04 in November and December were O or 1 ophrn. The data appear to indicate that the

background levels of ozone in the valley during winter may be somewhat below

the values of .03 to .04 ppm usually quoted or that another depletion mech

anism fTlaY exist.

co

In contrast to the ozone concentrations, the CO values in Table 2.3.1

show the marked influence of urban areas. All of the large values reported are associated with metropolitan areas. On the other hand, values at Coalinga

and Five Points are much lower. The peak concentration of 3.6 ppm at Reedley

(often downwind of Fresno) indicates the rapid dilution of the urban plume

upon moving into the rural areas.

The urban-rural differences are also shown in Table 2.3.3 which gives

the daily CO maximum at several stations during a low-visibility episode which

began on December 7, 1978. CO maxima at Fresno-Olive increased to a peak of

22 ppm whereas the rural areas showed much lower increases. The increases in

CO during the episode do not reflect accumulation of CO in the valley. The

850 mb temperature at Vandenberg AFB peaked on December 12 so that variations

in stability and pollution potential accounted for most of the changes shown

in Table 2. 3. 3. Table 2.3.3

DAILY CO MAXIMUM - DECEMBER 7-15, 1978 (ppm)

Reedley Fresno-Olive Five Points

December 7 2.1 9 1

8 2.4 18 1

9 2.7 i3 2

10 3.6 13 1

11 3.5 14 2

12 1.8 22 2 , ., 17i., ...'> .,A .. ' 2 14 2.7 16 1

15 2.5 13 1

2-12

Tab1e 2.3.2

MAXIMUM HOURLY CONCENTRATIONS

(NOVEM8ER-DECEMBER)

NOx (ppm) S02 (ppm)

Location Fie1d Fie1d 1977 1978 1979 1977 1978 1979

Bakersfie1d 1.13 .90 1.05 .07 .05 . 09

Coa1inga .11 ,09 . 17

Five Points .03

FNO-Downtown .67

FN0-01ive 1. 03 .88 1.46 .04 .12

McKittrick •08

Merced .50 .40

Modesto .94 .62 .86 .03 .03

Oi1 da1e • 17 • 15 • 16

Stockton .87 .73

Visa1ia .62 .55 .56 .04

Reed1ey .31 .02

Radome .13 •01

Lost Hi11s .18 .005

2-11

Time of Peak Hourly Concentrations

Table 2.3.5 gives the principal period of the day when peak concen

trations were observed at the three van sites and for selected CARB monitoring sites.

For ozone, the peak ozone concentrations occurred during the late fore

noon to early afternoon, indicating the local nature of the sources involved.

In the case of CO and NDx, peak concentrations were observed at times of morning

or evening traffic periods. The similarity between CO and NOx peaks suggests

roobile emissions as the primary source of these two pollutants.

As indicated in Table 2.3.5, the timing of the S02 peaks varies con

siderably from location to location. At Modesto and Fresno, the peaks occur

toward the end of the evening traffic period and are relatively small (.04 ppm

or less). At other locations, the timing appears to be related to the diurnal

wind patterns and the relation of the receptor area with respect to nearby source

areas. Table 2.3.5

TIME OF MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION (PST)

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1978

03 co NO so Reedley

Radome Lost Hills

Bakers field

Fresno-Olive Dilda le

McKittrick

Modesto

Stockton

Visalia

10-16

11-16 10-16

12-15

12-15

12-15

14-15

12-15

07-09

17-21

18-22

18-21

17-20

18-21

16-21

04-09 06-12

17-23

17-23

17-22

18-22

18-21

18-21

11-15

12-17

05-11

10-19

06-11 09-12

19-21 19-21

2-14

Nitrogen Oxides

Observed maximum hourly concentrations of NOx during the winter inten

sive program are given in Table 2.3.2 and are compared to November-December

maxima recorded in 1977 and 1979. As before, maximum values found during the

1978 winter program are somewhat helow those recorded in 1977 and 1979. The

urban-rural differences are clearly shown. The Radome and Lost Hills sites

appear to be representative of rural areas as far as NOx is concerned.

Table 2.3.4 shows the maximum values of NO, N02 and NOx observed at the

three Rockwel 1 International sites. The data indicate that peak concentrations

of NO exceeded N02 at all sites and served as the main contribution to NOx during

maximum NOx concentration periods. Table 2.3.4

MAXIMUM NITROGEN OXIDES CONCENTRATIONS (ppm)

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1978

Reedley Radome Lost R1 11 s

NO .31 1 1....... 1 ,t.... .,. N02 .08 .05 .05

NOx .31 .13 .18

Sulfur Dioxide

Sulfur dioxide maximum hourly concentrations are also shown in Table

2.3.2. The strong source area near Oildale is immediately apparent. Considerable dilution occurs, however, by the time the Bakersfield and Radome sites

experience the Oildale plume.

PAN

Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) was measured only at Reedley. It was con

tinuously monitored over the period 12 November through 20 December. The

highest concentration recorded was 14.1 ppb. The highest levels reached for

more than one-half hour were 5 to 6 ppb. The most common temporal behavior was a low concentration (below 3 ppb) all day. On some days a single peak occurred

from 14 to 18 PST while a double peak {12-14 PST and 15-21 PST) was occasionally

observed. These values are bGlow those found in such urban areas as Los Angeles

and St. Louis but somewhat above those measured in rural areas of Ohio and the

Netherlands.

2-13

Direct emissions of particles from motor vehicle exhaust contributed

a small amount to the total particle samples at all three sites. The con

tribution was largest at Fresno, as expected from the lead concentrations

discussed in Table 2.4.1.

Contributions of direct emissions of particles from oil combustion

were also small at all sites, comprising 1 percent or less of the mass.

The contributions were larger at Bakersfield and Lost Hills than at Fresno,

as expected from the nearby presence of oil field operations. Ammonium

sulfate formed from atmospheric transformation of S02 emissions accounted

for about 10 percent of the mass at all three sites. Ammonium nitrate, a

secondary product of atmospheric reactions, accounted for 14-36 percent of the mass at the three sites. Concentrations of ammonium nitrate, which is

formed from emissions of nitrogen oxides, were about equal at Fresno and

Lost Hills. As a result of the lower average mass concentration at Lost

Hills, ammonium nitrate comprised a larger fraction of the mass than at

Fresno. The average ammonium nitrate concentration at Bakersfield was 43

percent of the concentrations at the other sites.

Carbon from sources other than those included in the calculations

accounted for about 7 percent of the mass at Bakersfield and Lost Hills

and 19 percent of the mass at Fresno. Possible sources of this carbon

include:

Inaccuracies in the emission composition used for

tertiary oil recovery boilers using fuel oil

Organic compounds formed by atmospheric reactions

Emissions from vegetative burning

Emissions from diesel engines if the ratio of

diesel vehicle emission to automobile emissions affecting the samples was larger than the ratio

on which the motor vehicle source composition is

based

Excluding this excess carbon, sources not included in the calculations accounted for 16 to 23 percent of the average measured mass concentrations in

the samples.

2-16

2.4.2

2.4 Particulates

2.4.1 Total Particle Composition

Average concentrations measured during the November-December inten

sive are listed by sampling location in Table 2.4.1.

The major components at all three sites include nitrate, sulfate,

ammonium, carbon and silicon. Of these commponents, nitrate, carbon and

silicon show the largest differences between sites. Substantially lower

nitrate concentrations were observed at Bakersfield. Carbon was signifi

cantly higher at Fresno than at the other two sites, with the averages at

Bakersfield and Lost Hills being about the same. The highest average silicon

concentration occurred at Bakersfield. The average at Fresno was 54 percent

of the value at Bakersfield, and the average at Lost Hills was 32 percent of

the Bakersfield average. A similar pattern is present in the site-to-site

differences in the other crustal-like elements.

The largest average concentrations of vanadium and nickel were observed

at the Bakersfield site. Significantly lower concentrations were measured at

Fresno and Lost Hills. This result for Bakersfield is consistent with the

relatively nearby location of major oil fields. The similarity between Lost

Hills and Fresno is somewhat surprising, since the Lost Hills site was expected

to be affected by operations at the westside oil fields.

Lead and bromine concentrations were highest at Fresno. This result

suggests motor vehicles affected that site substantially more than the other

sites.

Source Contributions to Total Particle Concentration

Averages of the estimated contributions of the source types to total

particle samples from the November-December intensive sampling period are shown

in Table 2.4.2. The mass concentration and the fraction of the measured mass from each emission type are listed.

Fugitive emissions of crustal-like materials accounted for substantial

fractions of the mass at all three sites. The largest contributions in terms

of mass fractions and concentrations were at Bakersfield. Contributions of

emissions from cultivated land were somewhat larger than contributions from

uncultivated land at Fresno and Bakersfield.

emissions was the opposite at Lost Hills.

2-15

Table 2.4.2

ESTIMATED CONTRIBUTIONS OF SOURCE TYPES TO

AVERAGE TOTAL PARTICLE MASS DURING NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1978

Location Source Type Fresno Bakersfield Lost Hi 11 s

(23 Sameles) (16 Samples) (11 Samples)

(l:!:g/m3) (%) (I:!: g/m3) (%) (1,1:g/m3) (%) Cultivated land 16.0 11.0 37.0 31.D 6.0 6.0

Uncultivated land 12.0 8.0 25.0 21.0 15.0 15.0

Motor vehicles (primary)* 4.0 3.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

Oil combustion (primary)** 0.8 0.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

(NH4)2 S04 15.0 10.0 12.0 10.0 13.0 13.0

NH4 N03 37. 0 25.0 16.0 14.0 37.0 36.0

Unidentified C 28.0 19.0 7.0 6.0 8.0 ~o Sum 113.0 77 .o 99.0 84.0 81.0 79.0 Measured Mass 146.D 118.0 102.0

* Includes only motor vehicle exhaust. Resuspended road dust is not distinguish-

able from cultivated and uncultivated land. Conversion of NOx emissions to

nitrate is included with NH4N03.

** Sulfate formed from S02 emissions and nitrate formed from NOx emissions is

2-18

Table 2.4.1

AVERAGE TOTAL PARTICLE (diameter

!

co ..... a,.... . u:,.... '-Q.J

i Q.J > 0 z

C..., :E

'-Q.J

.s::....,., Q.J

2

Al u lu .... '-::, V)

....

..... M

Ill

...-'-::, C7>

3-2

3. Tracer Summaries

3. 1 Test 1 15-16 November 1978 - Chowchilla Release (1100-1600 PST)

3. 1.1 Meteorology

General

This test was conducted at the beqinninq of a stabilizing period

which followed a storm passaqe through the area on 13 November. On the

morninq of the 15th, a closed low aloft at 500 mh was located in northern

Arizona and was moving rapidly to the northeast. As can be noted in Section

2, the 850 mb temperature, althouqh reflecting the cold temperatures

associated with the earlier trough passage, was on the increase; warming

4°C by the morning of the 16th. Temperatures at 850 mb, however, remained

below the 5~year average for November. On the surface (Fiqure 3.1.1), weak

regional pressure gradients were present resulting in weak synoptic scale

flow. Locally induced forces thus dominated the wind regir:ie in the valley.

At the airport in Fresno, the sky was obscured in the morning by dense fog

which burned off by release time and mostly clear or scattered cloud con

ditions prevailed the remainder of the day. Visibilities ranged from 1/16

of a mile in fog to 5 miles restricted by haze in the afternoon. The high

surface temperature measured at Fresno was 58°F as compared to a November

average of 67°F. The following morning visibilities were restricted to

2-1/2 miles by fog but increased in the afternoon to 5 miles in haze. The

sky was overcast in the afternoon due to the passage of the remnants of a

weak weather system.

Transport Winds

Figures 3.1.2 to 3.1.4 show several surface streamline maps for the

northern portion of the valley during and after the tracer release period.

During the early part of the release, winds at the Chowchilla release site

were southerly (Figure 3.1.2). Near the end of the release period the sur

face wind velocities at Chowchilla decreased substantially. Figure 3.1.3

(1900 PST) is typical of the conditions in the valley during the early

evening. Winds at Chowchilla remained light (1.0 m/s or less) throughout

the night until 0900 PST on November 16. Beginning about 1200 PST surface

winds at Chowchilla increased in velocity from southwesterly to northwesterly

directions. These are shown in Table 3.1.1:

3-1

0::

-..... °' L. (1J

L:: E (1J > 0 z

-U") "'(1J ;::.... e ftl (1J L. ..... V)

(1J u ~ "' ...-vi ,..,.-(1J L. ::, er....

LL

3-4

(,.,1 fl ~ TOCKTON \.«\. ..-.,....,,\ \{>~··· {4')--z_f

,.,~ \,oo~ , L C"j \ ,, 1, ' '

\ ,,,, l \'0o 11-') c,_,./

~,?. ] \ / \ i 1\. / r\ r_1C:,

C;~/1 ',

c-->1 ~ ~ '\ '-\ ~ I' l

\~ (\> 'f'~-r \l J1 I '.-'f,1 c;.: l I '1 --0 "'-,'~.' \I ";)o

' 'h k,5') ) w w

\Jlrt v•\~>,_~ f ~ ,,,, C

I

7_

- \ 1~~~ ) \~

(

~ ,/''-v- 1/j__,,--N

I SCALE

,o O 10 20 rrrrrrrm.r- -- _-- - , _- -- ·1

M1Lf s

Fiqure 3.1.2 Surface Streamlines - 15 Novemher 1978 {13 PST)

Tabie 3.i.1

SURFACE WINDS AT CHOWCHILLA NOVEMBER 16, 1978

Time Wind Ti me Wind 'PST' IPST\

1200 336° /1. 1 m/s 1700 300°/0.8 m/s 1300 207 /1. 7 1800 307 /1. 1

1400 304 I 1. 3 1900 339 /2.2 1500 277 /1. 2 2000 341 /2.4

1600 235 /1. 1 2100 322 /2.0

As shown in the table the northwesterly flow gradually became

better established during the afternoon resulting in the transport of

tracer material toward the southeast. Figure 3.1.4 shows the streamline

pattern at 1900 PST on November 16 with the northwesterly flow well

established.

Available winds at 1000 ft are shown in Table 3.1.2 for Fresno

and Chowchilla for the period of the release until early morning on

November 16.

Table 3.1.2

1000-FOOT WI NOS

Fresno Chowchilla Date Time Wind Wind

PST

11-15 11 227°/1.7 m/s 64°/1.2 m/s 12 103 /2.8 13 89 /0.8 168 /1. 9 14 186 /1. 7 15 74 /0.5 217 /1. 5 16 345 /0. 5

17 305 /1. 9 351 /1.4 18 45 /1.4 19 338 /1.7 326 /0. 4

11-16 05 260 /1. 0

3-6

w I u,

OCKTON

('l

\ ~l, f"--/~?\j

"o°",, . ~ \\ 7 \,"" ro; r ~ \,_'3\ ,·~( (\*Jr _',(' \ <

(4J~-

'-~ I

i (,~/) I

11I' _,JJ , i ( \1, \ 1

'l(J '-~, -I \_,

,;: 1"' ·~

_> ~ n) :\,,a,~,, ~•;~~~?

) I

(_ ~ '''oo r L

\ ¼~'--,

~ N

I 'SCALE

,o O 10 trrnnmT-:::-::- ------- 1 --=-=---

MILES

20 ·1

Fiqure 3.1.4 Surface Streamlines - 16 November 1978 (19 PST)

Air Quality

Surface Air Quality Summary

Pollutant concentrations throughout the valley were quite low on

November 15, 1978. Figure 3.1.5 shows a map of maximum ozone concentrations

at all stations in the valley for the day. Highest reading anywhere in the

valley was 0.07 ppm at McKittrick.

Maximum hourly concentrations of CO, SOz, and NOx anywhere in the

valley are shown in Table 3.1.4 together with maximum values measured at

Reedley by the Rockwel 1 International van.

Table 3.1.4

MAXIMUM HOURLY CONCENTRATIONS NOVEMBER 15, 1978

Parameter Location

0.07S02 McKittrick

co Fresno (Olive) 18 .,,,

n "'"nux Fresno (Olive) u.,"3

NDx Reedley 0.58

Particulate concentrations are indicated in a semi-qualitative

manner by visibility observations. Table 3.i.5 shows the i300 PST reported

visibility at various airports in the valley for November

of restricted visbility are given as H (Haze), F (Fog) or 15, 1978.

K (smoke). Causes

Table 3.1.5

1300 PST VISIBILITIES (MILES)

Location

Sacramento

Stockton

Modesto

Crow's Landing

Merced

Fresno

Lemoore

Bakersfield

Vi si bil ity

3 HK

2 FK 3 FH

7

3 F

4 H

3 H

4 H

3-8

Early in the release period, 1000-ft winds at Chowchilla were

southerly but turned to northerly (northwest to northeast) after 1500 PST. The northwesterly winds also appear at Fresno for the same period. Since

this change occurred during the release period it is suggested that a portion of the tracer may have been transported to the north while some of

the tracer released toward the end of the period could have been caught in

the northerly flow and transported to the south. As indicated above the

surface wind velocities at Chowchilla decreased substantially near the end

of the release period and the bulk of the tracer would have experienced

very low transport velocities during the night.

Mixing Heiqhts

Mixing heights were determined from aircraft soundings by noting

the top of the pollutant layer (usually determined from bscat measurements). Table 3.1.3 gives the mixing heights for all soundings made on November 15.

The sounding at Athlone (41 NNW of Fresno) shows a multiple structure

with one layer top at 510 m while the other top is at about 1100 m. The

latter corresponds to the rema1n1ng soundings which did not show the more com-

plex structure.

Table 3.1.3

AIRCRAFT MIXING HEIGHTS NOVEMBER 15, 1978

Time PST

Location* Mixing Height ( a g l ) (m

1451 lOE Fresno Airport 840

1558 Fresno Airport 960 1611 Near I-5 990

(53 WFN0 AP) 1644 Athlone 510

(41 NNW FN0 AP) 1722 Hidden Valley Airport 1020

(25 NNt4 FN0 AP)

*(distances in miles)

3-7

From this table it can be seen that visibilities throughout the

valley were restricted, generally, to 2 to 4 miles, primarily due to haze

and liqht fog.

Aircraft Sampling

The MRI airplane sampled in a pattern which traversed the valley

between Chowchilla and Fresno. Spirals from near ground level to 5000 ft

msl were flown at or near the traverse end points. All traverses were

flown at 1500 ft msl within the surface mixing layer.

Figure 3.1.6 shows a map of the traverse paths and sounding loca

tions for November 15. Table 3.1.6 gives a summary of the air quality data

obtained by the aircraft during each traverse and spiral. Detailed vertical

soundings of each parameter measured are shown in Figures 3.1.7 to 3.1.11.

Some spacial variability in the mixing layer was observed with no

obvious pattern. Mixing was observed to 2700, 3500, 1900 and 3700 ft msl

over Points 2, 5, 7 and 8, respectively. With the exception of the Fresno

urban area, ozone was uniform throughout the sampling. Over Fresno (Points

3-4), a slight ozone deficit was observed. Moderate {in excess of 100 ppb)

concentrations of NOx were observed within the Fresno urban plume and near the surface on all spirals except over Point 8 (20 nm north of Fresno) where

only low background concentrations were observed.

Maximum bscat levels were observed in the Fresno vicinity with an otherwise relatively uniform horizontal distribution. Only light con

centrations of S02 were observed. Elevated S02 layers were observed between Point 5 and I-5 (540 m msl) at Point 7 (390-480 m msl) and at Point 6

(990 m). The S02 layer at Point 7 showed high CN values, suggesting a fresh

plume. The layer at Point 6 did not appear in the CN data and a well-aged

plume is indicated. During the Point 7 sounding winds at the elevation of

the S02 layer were from the northwest. The layer observed at Point 6 appeared

to be imbedded in a flow from the southeast.

3-10

' l..,j 7 ... 11.iGf --- -

.... ~. ''t-· '-""

,I ,

\- I -~-j-1/ _,, __ , I -"•

-- . .,, r , ;: ---~-

- Jf-''{ ' . . .~ ', ,_/- ~- ?~~- ~''

. ~._ - . -~- -:-:~~ ] -,~

Table 3.1.6

AIR QUALITY MEASUREMENITS CARB SAN JOAQUIN NOVEMBER 15, 1978

VALLEY PROJECT

Start Time (PST)

Location (Point)

03 Mean (ppb)

Max (ppb)

bscat Mean Max (xIO-firr,-1)

502* Mean Max (ppb) (ppb)

fiJflx

Mean Max (ppb) (ppb)

NO Mean (pph)

Max (ppbJ

1451 2 41 45 168 402 - - 5 119 8 14 1510 3-4 40 46 307 602 17 46 13 132 5 [9

1553 I 5-15 42 46 182 296 15 32 8 114 4 LO

1622 6-7 40 47 240 344 12 21 9 18 8 [8

1644 7 36 40 151 340 8 21 10 125 4 18

w I.....

N

1705

1722

1734

7-8

8

8-1

36

37

38

40

43

49

289

222 343

362

380

538

5

0

-

25

6

-

11

9

17

20

15

46

5

5

5

[4

10

ll

*S02 instrument subject to lonq term baseline drift resultinq in a possible backqround Prror as qreat

as 20 ppb.

.;'..-'_J·--.,=.-.r~~-.--.~\' ·rl·;~' J( \. I-··~'~",..,. :.·

~~1.,;.., ...., . __ . t..•.. ·•r..~~·•··-- .... ,.,,,..,: ,-- ....r-·· ··-~ V,:,,N( r:.;r;:,~V

154- ' 1.. .., -.:-,r-.J't.,. .... :· • ~r-t,ul. ·RAN(~

£::·{' ,X.@'7 v-.L:,_•'•_·-_

w I ..... .....

iuo r , .l..·',. - . ~1·l;Hi ...."!7 ... bt\ft~'t . . I : J ,....~:i ~. 1/!t:

Scale~( 10 nm

'):. ...... ~ ~-'

-, ·t"".,w.......

\ .?" -

h!~-.-(_ ·. ~,.

I~--\.. ~--

S)!LUL,,. •

•,....t

., •"aJ""~ .. i"'"''"•ll,\ '+·--·II

Jff..,.n

.l,lj~·-•1.1111 - •• -.--•, --1----~--.l .,

SAMPLING RO UT ES 15 November 1978

Figure 3.1.6

(IJ~PLT wER 1)1 '4lJ0 IJ3' IH-SPk-HO 33:•t :~ J •T 0 0 j

w u -,Jo 0 1, XT HC. s d,,I u '100 I) 1 l 0 s e.... ~ E ~ 71) a TC F s b

rl4C D T r. f! ti ll 10 u Tl fl. ) ti

l"I 1 ➔ ll C .. I, Tl lH ~ ,~u I) • Tl Cf: s ~ 720 0 " "' • T • C E s 6 LEGEND" t,qus 0 Tl C E s

l I) " • Tl (.f s " I\N ·• FULL oJO X 0 ""'' IHI •o r SYMBl,2hSCALEPARAM.ET.Ellb01 D N l1 (. t ti s 570 I) N

•X lT C f ti s (Turb) 10 cm '/3 sec "l E

540 o,,, IT E (.11 s• 0, 5 ppm z(Oa)0 0 C E ti s 4~\) (lN X lT E (. II~ 0. Z ppm N,X ~•o •

(NO, NO1),.,;o n ,. X LT F l s 0 .. 1u 0 " . lT FC SH (500 ) 0, I ppm s

1.1'10 0 'IX C LT t s ti 10 X 10-• m- B(b,... )_11,0 il l TC F s '\

.130 " "'. l T H. 5-1 (Temp) 0' - 100' C T{1 .IOU ~ N l( (l T : \~ D0' - 100' CUC r; ... ( l F 5 •J (Dew Pt) 1,0 T ~s 'I (." 100 x IOa cm ·s C" ,,, • ' (CN)llU 0 Al T 0 0 l ~\JI l) '- Kl T 0 F C Figure 3.1.8 Aircraft Sounding - November 15, 1978l" l.11 I 2\J,

4U l

-10---------o--------10--------10--------1~--------,q--------~n--------hC--------10--------dO--------~n-------lOC µr~(!NT ~• FULL ~(Al>

I

L1)Fµ1 T VfP Ul ~u1) O.i I H-APW->i,l 11:.1:s9 (l .:11;t-

tl o 1 c : I 1 / Io I 7 rl 1-l Cl; l 1 • v, " Pc 1" r c A1-1 r Q 1 1_· c t- 1 •1 .I\ >c:_. : 1o o1 ]IMC: 14:ol:l! TU 15: l: o ~l~. Gk(u~c tltV.: 41 ~,~,Ll

-10---------o--------1a--------ln--------10--------40--------,o--------t;,0--------10--------d~--------~n-------100 I sqo I I 'iOJ l I s l•l ID t- )( ~ 1 I ~n-.1 IC A I' 8 T l 1470 IC o ol l l 4 4 ll 1 C t X ~ T ' I

A 1oqo D L )t l'l 1 l 10~0 D " ttll r lOlll l, q

w I 9qo ~ X ,, I I ...... T '-,bQ 0 Tl" w ,U ~3,; cl X t Tl " r, ~0() I) X "' ti

E hlu LJ X Tl ,, tl4 t)

~LU l,

~

A

A r

" " t

"' 780 l) • ,.~ R 7~u Q X E " ➔ M ~

12·J ti qv

t) X I) X

* t,. e t ~

LEGEND

L obU [J " "' FULL b]U ,; X TL F PARAMETER SCALE llM!!.!2.h t:>{)0

"7tJ cl

tl

I\X

" " or

f

t b (Turb) LO cm "/3 ,ec -, E ~ 41)

~lu 410 ~ "lt)

4 J ,)

D .. I) XN ex~ I) ,, 0 NX

1

* :~

LT

"

" r

ti

8 R

" e

(0,)

(NO, NOx)

(SO,)

0. 5

0. 2

0. I

ppm

ppm

ppm

z N,X

s jQ1J

J6tJ

>30 JQU 210

lJ XII, {;~)t

:,;. I( ,. "1J I(

LT l l T

l T

c t

E

~

tt

E ~ tl

b

(b,c.1)

(Temp)

(Dew Pt)

JOxlO-•m- 1

0'-l00'C

0 • - JOO' C

B

T

D

L4O I.J') l T ll ;[lJ ., l T lj lilU ., X l T t d J,J l ? ll

iJ * l T F R Figure 3.1.7 Aircraft Sounding - November 15, 1978 qu

-1u---------u--------10--------20--------1u--------40------~-~11--------b~--------1n--------no--------qo-------100 PE~ CF NT :,r- FUll \f,Al~

CUFPLT YE~ 01 "UO 03 1q-APM-HO 10:~8:44 PAf;t 7

llAT•': I l ll~/7~ ~ Cu TI 11\,,,, Pc1•~T ~ tA~TNIDGf/PA~~: !DC/ ~ Tl"c: 17:2/:J9 TU 17:3U:l4 "IN. GR(UNO rlfV.: 'II "I "SL I

-10---------o--------10--------l0--------30--------40--------,o--------oo--------1~--------so--------qo-------1001590 I l~bO I IHO 1~00 1470 l 44(ll 1410 IJ~~' I 13~() I 1 •7n I I 2 ~01 IC S JI r HT l 10,01 I 0 s Xt IIT l 12\U 10 S PIX E bTl IZOOI I 0 _; t!Tl 1170 I D "'" Tltls ·~ 1 140 ') s •u~ Tl t\ I II U I 0 s 0( T l d., lA 10~0 OS NE B

l 1 u~o OS IU~ T 1 R T 10l•J 0 10': T l II I qqu so,, • T l tl..,.T "~u E Tl fl

w u •no N X f o tl• ..... I 0 900 .. N X F Tl II O'I E H70 OS XN oz ti

840 0 N O Tl II 610 0 NX Tl I; 6,. ld0 OS N X ll E ti Ho X Tl t d LEGEND0"

'4 720 0 r,x 0 E II s b'IO 0 N X 0 t 6 FULL L l>bU so 'I XfO 0 SCALE SYMBOi.,PARAMETER

blU S(JN F X o 'I 1)1)0 s • XUT (Turb) 10 cm

2/a ■■ c "l EII

)711 s • xc O ti (Oa) o. 5 ppm, z !it,0 !,OX F ,, ~10 0 OE ZT B (NO, NO1)

lT O. Z ppm, N,X

4~0 01,(t l T ti 4~U Ol B !SOa)

0.1 ppm s• 420 OFX l T ll 10 l< 10°• m"l B(bNOI)3"0 no Xl T ti 31>0 1,nox l fl (Temp) o·. 1oo·c T }l(J NO• l T H D(Dew Pt) o• • lOO"CJOu 01,j •z T ~ ~~o S, e

COFPLT V~R 01 ~uo OJ 19-APN-dO IC!Ob:44 PA(.;t: •

cATf: 11/h//~ PCUTI ·.,,, PCl"-f I I c 1·;1 T I~ L':· LI LAeTelllGU>'~,S: lbCI t, TIM,:: lo:44!J', re 10:'>3:5~ MIN. GHCU~U EltV.: l>O ~( ~~LI

-I0---------0--------10--------20--------JU--------40--------~(J--------bO--------IO--------•o--------90-------JCO I 5b1J I I l ~ 10 I I I 50,J I I l 4 7U I 14 4 () I 0 sr; X *U l l•lo I 0 s x... cT l IJqo I iJ ,,q KT l I 3 '> ,l I 0 C* *' l IJ2u jf) X* *T l I 2 ~ 0 ID N* L* l l l bll ll30

I 0 I 0

*• C* N** bT

l l

F

!LOCI IC ** l* l l 70 IC :~S*Ctlf l I 14(., ,J .. C~e * 11 I Cl l UAO

fl D

~** *CS '* T*

A 10~0 f) X i:::T o L

T 1020

yqo 0

D CT,,* ... ** I 'lbO D J( l r, *·I s

T 9 jlJ 0 X:: *~C u 900 I) N ,. s,. *

w I .....

0 f

810 840 lJ

N X*

* ,. 6*

* 8 u,

M

flO 780 ,~u

I)

[)

D

(Z::;)* .. /·- ~., x,._,~ S l'" C LEGEND

7lC D ~' f: S l* C M b'IO I) * E *TB C FULL s obO u NXF l* 6 C PARAMETER SCALE SYMBOL l b3U

oOU 570 540 510

0 * t 0 N t

D Nf 0 "' ll ~

l "- d l X lT o C,., s fl"- s 0 T ( s

R

" ii l

C C

(Turb)

(Oal

(NO, NOa)

10 cm "Is oec: ·t

0. S ppm

0. Z ppm

E

z N,X

41l0 • ~

fl

ti C C C (

C (SO2 )

Cbseal)

(Temp)

O. I ppm 01

10 X 10·• m

o'-l00'C

s

B

T

330 300

IJN 0

XT"' •U T s

~

l R C

11 (Dew Pt) O'-l00'C

D

l70 240

C

ON

f- Xl fl K

T

" s

(

C rl ;l

(CN) 100 x 10a ctn ·a C

no CN ".( " (, II !BU 0 X,o T l ~ J 'iO Jlu

C ND

1F l ~x '

r TS

r l

ti H

Figure 3.1.9 Aircraft Sounding - November 15, 1978 qc, * "l l·' '1 l,Q ll~ KU TL> h

-10---------o--------10--------20--------10--------~,1--------~o--------bc--------ro--------dn--------qo-------100 PbH,.,T OF fUll ~f.Alf

3. 1. 3 Tracer Test 1

Release Location: Chowchilla, Madera County

Time and Date: 1100-1600 PST, 11/15/78

Amount: 98 pounds of SF6 per hour

Release conducted during light southerly winds

Initial transport northward

SF6 was first detected around 1800 PST during Automobile Traverse 1-2.

SF6 levels of about 80-85 ppt were detected near Planada, about 15 miles north

of the release point during this traverse. About 2200 PST, SF6 levels as high

as 250 ppt (375 ppt/lb-mole of SF6 released/hr) were detected along Highway 99, north of the release site. For a short period of time near the end of the

release, the winds at the surface and aloft were from the north. This was reflected in the detection of SF6 just south of Chowchilla. Most of the SF6 was

thus apparently transported north of the release site but the generally light

and somewhat variable winds also led to dispersal of the SF6 with little net

transport. None of the tracer was detected farther than about 15 miles from

the release site on the day of the release.

Net transport southward during night and following morning

On the morning following the SF6 release some of the tracer was detected

during Traverse 4-i near Merced, north of the release site. A maximum SF6 level

of 22 ppt was detected during this traverse. The bulk of the tracer however, was

apparently south of the release site. Between 1100 and 1200 PST on 11/16/78,

65 ppt of SF6 was detected at the Fresno hourly-averaged sampler. All of the

hourly-averaged data is presented in Figure 3.1.12 and a map of the locations is

presented in Figure 3,1.13. Prior to this time essentially no SF6 was detected at Fresno. The Fresno measurement was verified, however, by the simultaneous

measurements of 21 and 45 ppt SF6 at the neighboring sampling sites of Clovis

and Easton, respectively. The detection of SF6 at these sites apparently re

flected the development of a northwesterly flow (as measured at the surface at

Chowchilla). The arrival time of SF6 at Fresno corresponded to a net

3-18

CIJFPL T vfs lll Mufl 0> lc-4PS-H•l J\'41:; ,-'A(; J,-

,;AT llll~/7~ t< Cl, TI .,v,a >Ct,r ~ LAR r~ JLJ(t/PAS\! JoO/ 4 Tl~e: 16:Ll:t8 TO 16:21: l'I"-• •;P(LJNG fltV.: H w 0 401] iJ" C T E I E c7u 0"' C T E s " .\..... ...... d4U ... (. T E s d

HIL O*N (, H s tl M mu u .. C E T s n LEGEND

7~0 O* (, T E s ll M 720 UY TC h FULL s o'lO DXl C a PARAMETER SCALE SYMBOL L t>60 (. T E ii*

¢ (Turb) 10 cm •ta 1ec • 1 Et, 30 CT f tl t>OO X¢ ,\T C t (Oa) 0. 5 ppm z ~70 1¢ Tl E ;.,o ¢1 " a (NO, N01) 0. Z ppm N,X** 510 t [,* 0. l ppm s 4 .i,i " ,. T l, t 1so.1 ,.5u .. .. " 10xlO·•m·1tl Chae•• ) B 4lU

(Temp} 0'-l00'C T3~U H>I) D(Dew Pt) 0'-l00'C 3 ·10

3 1 )0 100 x 10,. cm ·a C(CN),1u l40 llO l i!U Figure 3.1.11 Aircraft Sounding - November 15, 1978 l~O 120

Q() I

-10---------n--------10--------20--------•o--------~~--------~n------•-bij-••-----1~--------do--------~o-------100 Pl ~Ct"'T CF FULL ~(Alt

SJV

1

... 1...::;. ' 0 fr:}- ~ --=~-·-.,,.. '.::=.c . . - -.... ..

0 INDICATES SAMPLER LOCATIONS @1s THE RELEASE SITE

Figure 3.1.13

3-20

SJV-1 11/15/78 - 11/16/78

I O' NEALS5:~_....,..........--.............-...~................--........._._.........____.................._._..................___...................____,1.L..J +II ' I I MILLERTONs:~,·~,_.___........_.___.......__._......__._......_.......J......._.......J~ ............... --...........I ~.........~--.................~1.1 ' + I CLOVIS5:f.1--1-~-'--............l,...J.....l....l--...l,...J.....I....J~~....l....l__._.-...........,__._ ................. __._.................._,w h£l'

10~ r I FRESNO--~ i♦ !+I•' l+L !.. , L L j q I EASTON50

0~ r

I b, L I I ,.I q 50 r- I CARUTHERS1.,0 ~*!*'*' bd II '*' +

I WOODLAKE50 [ t::1+1.,.,.1.,.,.1.,.,.1.,-+ I0 ✓ +l50 1a.. a.. I IVANHOE

0 i , + I L I t 91~ co

I '*' l.J.. (/) I I GOSHEN ..... I ' +

I HANFORD .l T

I LEMOORE +I

I NAS LEMOOREl J CJ I J ' +

I CORCORAN

I PORTERVILLE

I CELANO

I WASCO!dlbd1t!+1! 6 9 12 15 18 21 24

• INDICATES MISSING CATA ARROWS INDICATE BOUNDS OF SAMPLING PERICO

riyure3.l.12

3-19

PACIFIC STANDARD TIME

RELEASE LOCATION1 491 LBS SF6 AT CHOWCHILLA RELEASE TIME1 1100-1600 PST, 11/15/78

https://riyure3.l.12

t:"

I RELEASE SITE - CHOWCHILLA

• • . . - - . -....-

........~a,

--.... -~-,~.!

~

i !

ARROW POINT INDICATES OBSERVED TRACER LOCATIONS NUMBERS REFER TO HOURS AFTER RELEASE START (1100 PST, 11/15/78) UNCEPTAIN TRANSPORT PATH

Figure 3.1.14

3-22

transport speed of about 1.5 mph from the Chowchilla release site. SF6

concentrations as high as 90 ppt were rletected by automobile traverses near

Fresno between 1800 and 2300 PST, 11/16/78. During Traverse 4-3 an average

SF6 concentration of about 50 ppt was detected between Fresno and Visalia,

35 miles to the south. About 80 percent of the SF6 originally released can he accounted for during this traverse assuming that the SF6 covered a rec

tangular area about 10 miles wide (as suggested by the autorrobile traverse

data) and by assuming that the maximum mixing height on 11/16/78 was about

2000 ft. Though subject to potentially large uncertainties this calculation

suggests that the majority of the tracer released on 11/15/78 remained within

the San Joaquin Valley (and within 70 miles of the release site), by the

following evening (11/16/78).

Although most of the tracer was apparently near Fresno during the day

after the release, hourly-averaged SF6 concentrations as high as 20-25 ppt

were detected in both Delano and Wasco between 0700 and 1600 PST, 11/16/78.

These sites lie approximately 110 miles south of the release point (Chowchilla).

This suggests a mean transport speed in excess of 5 mph for the SF6 detected

at these sites. This transport was apparently due to the winds aloft but this

conclusion could not be verified because of a sparcity of wind data during

the night of 11/15 and early morning of 11/16.

Summary

During this test, SF6 was released from Chowchilla in the northeastern

San Joaquin Valley, under generally light and variable wind conditions. This limited the net transport of the tracer. Figure 3.1.14 displays an overview

of the transport oath of the tracer during this test. The majority of the tracer apparently remained within 70 miles of the release site more than 24

hours after the end of the release. The net transport speed of most of the

tracer was between 1 and 3 mph towards the south over the course of the test

period. It should be noted that the SF6 was transported towards the south by

the end of the day following the release (11/16/78) even though southerly

winds seemed to prevail at the surface at the release site (i.e., a southerly

wind was detected more often than a northerly wind at the release site, at

least between the start of the release on 11/15/78 and noon on 11/16/78).

3-21

3.2 Test 2 18-19 November 1978 - Fresno Release (1200-1700 PST)

3.2.1 Meteorology

General

At the onset of this test, Central California was situated in a

region between two weak high pressure areas, one located over Utah and

the other about four hundred miles west of San Francisco (Figure 3.2.1).

Consequently, pressure gradients were weak and only light synoptic scale

flows existed. By the following morning, both high pressure areas were

shifting south in response to a storm system entering the Pacific North

west. Nevertheless, the pressure gradients in the central and southern

portions of California remained weak. The warming trend at 850 mb, which

had begun several days prior, peaked on the 18th at the 5-year average. At Fresno, fog obscured the sky and restricted visibilities to one mile

until noon on the 18th. Clear skies persisted the remainder of the day

although visibilities remained restricted to four miles in haze. Only

light fog occurred on the following day but visibilities, although increasing slightly, were restricted again by haze. Near normal November

maximum surface temperatures were recorded at Fresno during the test

period.

Transport Winds

Figures 3.2.2 to 3.2.4 show surface streamline maps in the

southern half of the valley for several periods during and after the release. During the latter part of the release period, winds at Fresno were

southerly, resulting in transport of the tracer to the north of the city. During the evening an easterly drainage flow dominated the Fresno area as

shown in Figure 3.2.3. This was replaced by a northwesterly flow in the morning as indicated in Figure 3.2.4.

Additional details on surface wind flow in the Fresno area are shown

in Table 3.2.1. The southerly flow at the Fresno airport lasted from 1600-

1800 PST and was replaced by the easterly flow from 1900 PST through 0200 PST

on November 19. Thereafter the winds at the airport were from the northwest.

3-24

Some of the SF5 released at Chowchilla was detected at Delano and

Wasco in the southern San Joaquin Valley on the morning of 11/16/78. While

this SF5 was apparently not a large portion of that originally released, it

does suggest that a mechanism exists for rapid transport of air pollutants

toward the southern end of the valley even during generally stagnant

conditions. At the present time, it appears that only the winds aloft could

transport the tracer towards the south at the required speed (in excess of

5 mph).

3-23

10 $CAL£

0 10 20

.., .., ..,Figure .;:,.c..c. Suiface Streamlines 18 November 1978 (16 PST)

3-26

co.... ...en . ...co

I.. QJ

~ QJ > 0 z

C.

:::E:"' I.. QJ .c .µ

"'QJ 3: QJ u

....."' I.. ::,

Vl

.... N. M

QJ I.. ::, C'>

LI..

3-25

Figure 3.2.4 Surface Streamiines - i9 November i978 (07 PST)

3-28

,o 0

.........--............ ... ... ....

,o 20

.... .... .... .... ' ' ' ' ' " " " " " " " " "

( ... 0 0 0

Figure 3.2.3 Surface Streamlines - 19 November 1978 (01 PST)

3-27

These data suggest a shallow {less than 1000 ft deep) layer moving

in response to an easterly flow during the night and a northwesterly flow

in the early morning but decoupled from the flow at 1000 ft. Much of the

tracer released in the late afternoon (after the low-level air had started

to stabilize) must have been trapped within this shallow layer.

Mixing Heights

Mixing heights were obtained from aircraft soundings made on November

17 and 18. These are shown in Table 3.2.3. Heights ranged between 480 and

600 m {above ground level) on both days, indicating little change in the over

all synoptic conditions during the two-day period. This conforms to the peak

in the 850 mb temperature curve which occurred on November 18.

Table 3.2.3

AIRCRAFT MIXING HEIGHTS

Location* Mixing Height (agl) m

November , .., i I > 1978 0927 over Hwy g9 480

(4 SW FNO AP)

1034 near Hwy 99 480

(9 NW FNO AP)

1229 over Hwy 99 600

(4 SW FNO AP)

November 18, 1978 1424 8 NNW FNO AP 540

* Distances in miles

3.2.2 Air Quality

Surface Air Quality

Maximum ozone concentrations in the valley were somewhat higher than

on November 15, reflecting the influence of the warmer 850 mb temperatures.

Highest-values (0.07 ppm) within the valley were observed at McKittrick and

Lost Hills. A considerable part of the valley experienced maximum concen

trations of 0.05 ppm or more. Figure 3.2.5 shows a map of the maximum ozone

concentrations throughout the valley on November 18.

3-30

Table 3.2.1

SURFACE WINOS NOVEMBER

- FRESNO AIRPORT 18-19, 1978

Time (PST

Wind Time PST

Wind

1200 110°/2.1 m/s 2200 090°/2.6 mfr Ill/ J

1300 070 /2.1 2300 060 /3.1

1400 080 /2.1 0000 070 /2.6

1500 110 /1. 5 0100 070 /2.6 1600 210 /1. 5 0200 070 /2.6

1700 180 /1. 5 0300 300 /1. 5 1800 210 /1.5 0400 340 /1. 5 1900 090 /1. 5 0500 350 /1. 5

2000 050 /1. 5 0600 Calm 2100 090 /2.6 0700 310 /2. 6

1000-foot winds for November 18 and early November 19 are shown in

Table 3.2.2 for Fresno, Reedley and Pinedale. Southerly winds prevailed at

all stations beginning at 1400 PST on November 18 although velocities during

the evening we re quite 1ow. It is to be noted that the easter1 y dra i na ge

flow so dominant in the surface winds (Table 3.2.1) does not appear at the

1000-foot level. This indicates the shallow nature of the drainage flow.

In a similar vein, the morning northwesterly flow at the surface is not

reflected in the 0500 PST 1000-foot wind observation at Fresno.

Table 3.2.2

1000-FOOT WINDS

Date Time Fresno

Wind Reedley

Wind Pinedale

Wind PST)

11-18 11 169°/0.8 m/s

12 29°/0.3 m/s

13 320 /0.8 50 /0.3

14 187 /0. 7

15 178 /1.8 184°/0.8 m/s

16 153 /1.0 inn ,n c. J.JJ ,u.v17 224 /0.7

19 221 /0.2

11-19 05 170/2.7

3-29

Table 3.2.4 gives the maximum concentrations of other parameters

as observed on November 18:

Table 3. 2. 4

MAXIMUM N

POLLUTANT CONCENTRATIONS OVEMBER i8, 1978

Location

Fresno-01 i ve

Bakersfield McKittrick

Bakersfield

Reedley

Lost Hi 11 s

co (ppm)

16

16

S02 (ppm)

0.07

0.04

NDx (ppm)

0.90

0.66

0.32

Visibilities throughout the valley at 1300 PST are shown in Table

3. 2. 5.

Table 3.2.5

1300 PST VISIBILITIES NOVEMBER 18, 1978

Station Visibility mi 1es

Sacramento

Stockton

Modesto Merced

Fresno

Lemoore

Visalia Bakersfield

2 FH

3 HK 3 H

2-1/4 H 2-1/2 H 3 H

4 H

1-3/4 HK

These visibilities represent siightly lower values than were ob

served on November 15. Most of the restriction was described as resulting from haze. There was no fog observed except at Sacramento.

3-32

Aircraft Sampling - 17 November 1978

This flight was intended to measure the vertical and horizontal

extent and distribution in the undisturbed Fresno urban plume. This ~u.,_,...,..,._.;,..necessitated a morning flight when decoupling with the :,J IIVf-' I,,, flow wasI\..

present and when weak local thermal gradients existed. The flight plan

consisted of the following key elements:

Spirals over the downtown area at the start and end of

sampling to define any temporal changes.

Traverse south within polluted urban air away from

downtown until background air was encountered, then

Traverse northeast, intersecting the urban air until

background levels east of Fresno were encountered, and

Traverse west in a similar manner to a point NW of

Fresno and then a traverse back to the start of the

pattern such that a triangle was formed roughly

defining the horizontal extent of the urban plume.

Repeat the triangular pattern to observe temporal

change.

Figure 3.2.6 shows the flight pattern followed on November 17.

Table 3.2.6 gives the maximum concentrations encountered on each of the segments of the flight pattein.

Visibilities were restricted by haze and fog which resulted in off

scale bscat levels and precluded valid maximum nephelometer data in some areas.

Detailed soundings for November 17 are included as Figures 3.2.7 to

3.2.9. Principal comments on the observations are:

Mixing depths increased from 490 to 600 m - m agl during

the sampling period (0927-1303 PST). A lower level mixed layer about 120 m deep was present at 0927, repre

senting the early morning surface mixing. Carry-over

from the previous day existed to 540 m or more. By

1229 PST the surface mixed layer had reached to approx

imately the top of the carry-over layer.

Maximum NOx level observed within the urban plume was

106 ppb.

3-33

I

.' Seal 10 nm

J I

SAMPLING ROUTFS 17 November 1978

Figure 3.2.6

3-34

Table 3.2.6

AIR QUALITY MEASUREMENTS CARB SAN JOAQUIN NOVEMBER 17, 1978

VALLEY PROJECT

Start Ti me ( PST)

Location {Point)

3 Mean (ppb)

Max (ppb)

Dscat Mean Max (x10-6m-l)

S02'li

Mean Max (ppb) (ppb)

filOx

Mean Max (ppb) (ppb)

N

Mean (ppb)

Max (ppb)

0927 1 35 46 420 1830 4 15 20 106 15 75

1008 2-3 34 45 1195 1860 7 8 29 54 11 30

1022 3-4 40 51 666 1630 10 13 20 88 12 24

1034 4 40 55 489 1460 4 8 14 38 8 ;!4

1058 4.2 44 51 1106 1510 6 9 25 37 5 11

1107 2-3 37 57 1255 1670 6 7 38 73 12 ?4 w I

w 1153 3-4 45 58 1156 1470 5 8 36 69 14 35 Ol

1209 4-2 50 55 890 1050 0 2 23 37 2 11

1225 2-1 52 59 810 970 0 2 20 31

1229 1 44 51 200 1040 2 10 11 69 3 ~,7

1248 1-2 54 59 746 1020 5 7 19 36 9 17

* S02 instrument subject to long term baseline drift resulting in a possible background ,error as great as 20 ppb.

CUFPL f V~11 Ul ~Orl OJ l'-1-AP~-rH) 1c: \•t: ,,) p ll ~; ~

I" 1 ' : I l / I / / H• f. r: lJ T'" : (.~~> Plfl,1 L-11-'T ... l(Gt/l'/\'\\! t,_,l/ I !.~I: ~:27: ~., Tl) q;44:4•') ~I~. G~Cu~C tl~~.: 41 "l~SLI

-10---------1--------1n--------l'l--------10--------4rl--------~o--------b0--------1n--------do--------~n-------1oc l~Qf)

I ,h IJ 1, 1,l

I

I C

I I C'

i ~F1 G

S ~ • T

L

lH l

lj01J 11 ; F X T l a,

I 4 70 ,) s I: '1 l " 1441) 1" 1u

'l f)

Ss E ., " ,, l l

~

·l I 1. I) il '.:,: .lC T l ~ 13~11 1.170

)

')

S 1\/¢ t

T XT

l l ti

LEGENU

I l 'Ill l lb 1J 1210

0 S OS uS

C X

X X

T

"' T

l l l F

M

~

~ PARAMETER

FULL ~ SYMBOL

llOll OS I', X T ~ " (Turb} 10 cm •t• oec ··i E I l 7IJ 114 0

U D

51',X ~" E

l* Tl ·'

L (~) O. 5 ppm z

" I 1 I 0 1060

0 il

,,. Hx

Tl lt

0 ~

(NO, NO1l O. Z ppm N,X

l 10~() C "~ Tl ll (so., 0. I ppm s w I w Cl

T I T I/

l'J?O '140 ~oU ~10

;, »X o:~'> ~

0 " X 0 ES X

Tl Tl Tl Tl

·l

tt 8

II

(b,... )

(Temp}

10 X

o• -

0110-• m

1oo·c

B

T

C,

t ~~ ij]J

D IIJ

S" S»

* ,c,

I! R

(Dew Pt) o• - IOO'C D

840 IUN a> X O ~

" blU ,~o

1L)( "4'; A 0

10E1',S X* I\ " Figure 3.2.7 Aircraft Sounding - November 17, 1978

" 750 1lu

ID 0

"' t,C, .,, ,, " 8

s ~9J 0 X f>OT ti l bW 0 ll l'> !' I\

h}J

o3U C

,, Xt' OT

" .. ~ I! ,10 FO X " 0 ~40 ., ox ti ~lu ~ 1.JT l X E ~~J

4~1} N U* XS

1 * X F E

fl

420 Ul T )( ~ .I 1qo Lil* E " 3h0 IJO T x, ~ J]U * * I • A j ~\l I ,, T Nie X PI 17IJ I /1,T ~ ... X e I l 4ll I l !J T s ' " X • I d ll I l J T s t ·i " d I I-Ill I l il T s ,: I'< X ~ I I ~,l l>iJ

~l,

I I I

l l

,Z

I)

~

U

T T

5 5

\

' ' r

1\/ II,

'\J

X

• "

"I "I •~ I

- Ill---------:)•---- -- -- 1,1---- --- - lo-- --- --- J fl---- --- -'

(UFPL T \,l·:R u I 1"Ll 1) ()J l'-1-.J.P:.{-r,() l O; .\.,: C ,, Pt\ r;t

Lr.ft: 1l/l71/rl j{ cu TI I I I ·., I-' L J "· T '• l -' ,-l T l"( I I; C t- / j-l ·\ ) ') : 1 ti I / 4 lf.S": IC:J4:4O fL 1O:4'>:Ll ~Ir,. ,;k(u~L tlt~.: q l "'C ,'I' '..i l I

-10---------0--------11--------2O--------lO--------41)--------~u--------oO--------7~--------8~--------•n-------lOC I, SIU I J l "'I l1U I l'J h; 11·\ t ,◄ xT ! l~Ou X£:l T l 1470 iJ ~ h T i.

1I 441J n SI\ * ... r l LEGEND 1410 I X

I 3 "J lJ c; FX T l ,\ I j ,u u c; I X T l -l FULL SYMBOLPARAMETE_R SCALE1320 I., 90 IJ P\j:)Jl :¢ tl l e,hu tJ.,,tSX T cl

b)O t) SXF T l Cu· (J S X t T l B 570 lJ »x T l 8 ~.o Ds ¢ '* ~10 n ,. s ,, * ll 4~u u X t H" >l 450 LI ST X t d 4l(l 0 ST "' X l· ~ 3-10 D ~ Tl "' t -~•

(I;;, f.3b1J u X R j lll 0

CDFPLT VF• IJI ~OD Qj l'I-AP'{-tlJ 10: 1,., 7n t1 I\ r;t [ c.,

u~rs: 11/111/'1 r~1:uT ... : 1V U µ(JP..T tAKTP.l[JU/l'~SS: l61/ IC Tl,.,.: ll :lQ: .. s lu P Ho: 3l ~IN. ~K(U~C fl~V.: 'II ~l~'.ll

-10---------0--------10--------l0--------10--------4,)--------~a--------b0--------10--------do--------~o-------lUO 1 'S

Background ozone and NOx concentrations were 45 ppb and 20

ppb respectively.

Large ozone deficits were observed within the urban plume

(Figure 3.2.10).

Insignificant amounts of S02 were observed both in and

outside of the urban air.

The southern leg of the sampling triangle defined a broad

and somewhat diffused urban plume roughly 12 nm wide with

NOx concentrations approximately twice that of the back

ground air.

The first pass along the northern leg of the sampling

encountered only local sources over the north Fresno area. However, 1-1/2 hours later on the second pass along that

route, it appears that the urban plume had moved north

and now extended along the entire traverse east of Highway

99.

The urban plume remained east of Highway 99 throughout the

sampling.

Superimposed on the broad urban plume were more localized

sources which were characterized by a complex ozone and

NOx structure.

Aircraft Sampling - 18 November 1978

In conjunction with the tracer release from downtown Fresno, aircraft

sampling was conducted to determine the transport and diffusion of the urban plume. Traverses were flown approximately 5, 10, and 15 miles downwind, per

pendicular to the plume axis, and at two altitudes within the mixing layer.

An upwind traverse defined the background air quality and a downwind spiral defined the distribution of parameters in the vertical.

Figure 3.2.11 shows the flight pattern utilized on November 18. Table

3.2.7 gives the maximum concentrations of several parameters observed on the

various segments of the pattern.

A detailed sounding at 1436 PST is shown in Figure 3.2.12. The surface

mixed layer extended to about 540 m (agl). Ozone, NOx and bscat values were

aii elevated within the layer and were well-mixed.

3-39

CDF?LT YER Dl "OD D3 19-APR-80 1013,126 PAGE 13

OATE: 11117/1'8 ROUTE: POINT 3 TO POINT 4 CARTRIDGE/PASSI lbl/ 7 PASS START TIME I 11:53121 ALTITUDE• 457 ~l~Sll

-10---------o--------10--------20--------10--------40--------50--------60--------10--------eo--------90-------100 0.5 I S l X E •1 I .o I S l X E ~ I 1.~ I S X E ~I 2o0 I S N X E ~I 2.5 I so X E ~ IJ.o I •l X E ~ I 3 • 5 I NO X E ~ I ... o so X E HI 4 .':> so EX HI 5.0 •l X E LEGEND • I 5.5 • l X E ~ I 6. 0 X E• l FULL e 6.5 SN l • PARAMETER !U:M.!LQL . ~ 1.0 S NZ X E A1(Turb) 10 cm 3/3 1ec .. E7.5 Sl'I l X E ~

·o le.o X E (0,) 0, 5 ppm z •8.5 S1'1 l E ~ q. 0 o l X E (NO, N01) 0, 2 ppm N,X 8 Cj .5 • l X E A

w 1so1 , 0. I ppm s I D 10.0 NS Z X E A ~ I 10.5 N S Z X E ·, 0 lb,..,) IOxl0-

4 m B e s 11.0 ti S l E P. T 11.5 E (Temp) o•.1oo•c T R• z A 12.0 Sti Z X E A 1

(Dew Pt) 0"-I00"C D... 12.5 s • X E ~ I C 13.0 s • X E ~ I E 13.5 SIIIZ X E A I

l't.O s • X E p I 14.5 s • X E •ll

~ t!>.o S l N E X Figure 3. 2. 10 Aircraft Sounding - November 17, 1978 A I " I 5.5 S ZN E • I 16.0 S ZN XE A I

16.5 S l N E X ~ I 11.0 S ZN E X ~ I11.s S l N E X A I 111 .O S Z N E X 8 I 111 • 5 S Z N f X PI l'loO S l X E • I19.'> S l X E HI 20.0 S l X E HI 20.5 S l X E A I 21 .o s l X E 'I I ll .5 S l X E A I 22.0 S l X E .. I 22.5 S l X E 8 23.0 S l X E 8 23.5 I S ZN X E tt 14.0 I S lN X E p 2

Iii\.·-..~-~~--~~-~ A.'/~~·

Scale 10 nm

-~

;.;:.;

w" src:-:

.-----~.-t'-~]'ITj.]J_-:,~,

,~----f:.

SAMPLING ROUTES 18 November 1978 Figure 3.2.11

3-41

Table 3.2.7

AIR QUALITY MEASUREMEMTS CARB SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY PROJECT NOVEMBER 18, 1978

----No;-- - - - -NO03 bsca1t S02* Start Time Locat;on Mean Max Mean Max Mean Max Mean Max Mean Max

(PST) (Point) (ppb) (ppb) (xI0-6111-l) (pph} (ppb) (ppb) (ppb) {ppb} (P~ 1424 1 58 88 267 920 3 11 22 44

1456 2-3 76 83 705 860 5 9 24 47 7 12

1524 4-5 75 84 741 890 4 5 28 57 9 l9

1546 6-7 75 87 706 910 2 4 29 54 6 l 1

1616 8-9 77 87 734 930 5 14 29 50 6 l3 1643 5-4 64 79 712 900 6 7 34 58 6 l 1

w I 1701 10-6 70 81 745 910 6 7 30 48 7 12 ~ N 1719 9-10 72 86 731 870 6 15 36 52 7 13

.,_. S02 ;nstru111Eint subject to long term baseline drift resultinq in a possible backqround error

as great as 20 ppb.

CUFl'l r ,o· Ul MUI) Qj 14-APk-!lO ll:lu:11-, 1(1 ,1,f,;

UAT, 11/lnll•l 1,1 f ,J Tr rVtk Pr I ~T (.A~ nt(l,fit /l'AJ'l: lL'I TIM~: 14:24:~o Ii: 14:}t,:48 l"'lr"-!. r,~f:u~U Elt "•: l~ I foll ( ~ _) L)

-to---------1--------1a--------i0--------1n--------4D--------~o--------,-,:--------J,1--------d □ --------qa-------1co

1 ~40 I 0 s ti ,:. T r: I• 1 ~fHI I D s tl ~ l 1 X CI l~JO I u s ti I l 1 Cl• LEGEND1500 I 0 U l l 1 ~ Cl' 1 .. 10 I IJ 'i r: I\ l XT C I 1440 I ll 5 ~ LI l .. C FULL I I" I u I (.; s f tl l ¢ C PARAMETER SCALE SYMBOL 1_1qo I ,J 5 l ~ l C* (Turb) 10 cm •t• 1ec ·• El3~U I s I " lXl L IPU I D s .= 11 l X 1 L (Oa) O. S ppm z IL'IU I u s C ~ l X T C llo0 I D s t ,l[ TX C (NO, NO1l 0. Z ppm N,X IL10 I u s F l" "

(. (SOal o. I ppm s1200 I u s E *l l l 110 I I) s ' X BlT ( 10x10-•m· 1 B 11 .. 0 I D s ~.Xti ZTC fb""' I 111 u I 0 5 f ti x Zl C (Temp) o • • 100' C T

A 1080 I 0 s t:"' ZT C l 10~') I D s *B l T l. (Dew Pt) 0' • I 00' C D T 1020 I n S le* l l T ..

100 x 10• cm CI qqu I 0 5 ,. • l T (CN) ':-' T 'lt,0 I I) St bX Cl T .i::,,u q30 I ') S E*C l T wo 'IIJO I D s E ., LC T Figure 3.2.12 Aircraft Sounding - November 18, 197B

i' 810 I I) s "II l T C b4U I u s xe l Tl C.,.HIU I I) s l T l (.

"' 7HO I D s "'II l Tt BO I I) s Xtll l H n·o I u s tlX l .. (."' s t,~10 0 s X Bf l T C

l bti,ll il s "\ l T C t>l•O 0 S C X l/\H t>CllO I) s AT l t L h '> 1'1) 0 S TX l t ti L 'l'i•U IJS T Xl f C" ~10 0 S T XI E L rl 4 loll} () s T lX t C ~ ... -::,u u T Xl f l. 8< J 42'.U 0 ~ T •t E (, ti 3 ,II) 0 s l X l t C ti }60 u s ~ l F C tl 1·;10 D s T f ( R• HIU I u ~ T l L ~" ll'0 I I) s ... l 1, (. ti 2ilt0 I I) s t•l t L II 2110 I I) s C ~" lt UIO I 0 ~ tl C" l " 1 110 I I) $ • Tl f ( ~ llO I I) S X (. t ,;" '10

-1 o---- -----n-- ------Io--- - ---- ictl-. --- --- j ,, _______ --.11-• --- - -- -~()- -- -- - ··b·l------- - /()---- ---- ~o-- --- ---'Ill- - - ---· - 100 Pt"H(tNl LT rt.LL ',L'\ll

The urban plume was easily distiguishabie at aii downwind distances

(e.g., Figure 3.2.13) by significant increases in CN, bscat• and oxides of

nitrogen. Background NDx concentrations in excess of 50 ppb were observed

within the urban air. Ozone depletion was observed within the urban plume -" ........... ,;..,.,4 A-ir-+~..,.,-n.rat all The nearby constant levels of NOx observed withinuun11n111u u,.;,..,011\...c.;,.

the urban air and the constant plume width at all distances downwind suggest

slow plume diffusion. The plume was located east of Highway 99 and extended

into the Sierra foothills north of Fresno. The tracer plume coincided exactly

with the urban plume as defined by the air quality further documenting the

pollution source. S02 was not observed in any significant amounts. Visi

bilities were restricted to less than three miles throughout the samplinq.

3-44

f.DFPLI vtK 01 l 12.0

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t t

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Figure 3.2.13 Aircraft Sounding - November 18, 197lll " tl,'> I 'I N t * L C l ->• 0 I 'I N t * L ti I l., I SN t " L b 1 't. u I 1i N l,, t C d ~

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~!-K(clH L,f fLI.L ~(Alt

3.2.3 Tracer Test 2

Release Location: Fresno, Fresno County

Time and Date: 1300-1700 PST, 11/18/78

Amount: 94 pounds of SF6 per hour

Release conducted during light and variable winds

Initial northward transport

SF5 was first detected near Fresno about 1600 PST during Automobile

Traverse 2-1. The highest SF5 concentrations were detected near Clovis,

about 6 miles north of the release site. Because of the uncertainty in wind

direction, it is difficult to accurately estimate the crosswind standard

deviation in concentration of the SF6 plume. The value of this parameter,

used in the Gaussian plume model, was about 1/2 to 3/4 miles at this distance

downwind. Within the context of the Gaussian plume model, the horizontal dis

persion corresponded to unstable atmospheric conditions (approximately between

Pasquill-Gifford stability classes Band C). The initial dispersion of the tracer was presumably enhanced by building induced turbulence and the urban

heat island effect rather than the regional atmospheric stability. An SF6

plume was detected at about the same location during Traverses 1-2 and 2-2.

The SF6 levels detected during Traverse 1-2 were about an order of magnitude

lower than those detected during either of the other traverses. This illus

trates the uncertainties associated with sampling intervals of the same order

as the width of the plume in that a sample may not have been collected near

the location of the maximum concentration. Northward transport of the tracer

was also indicated by airplane traverses. SF6 was detected as far as 15 miles

north of the release site. Where both airplane and automobile traverses were

conducted near the same locations, good agreement was found between the con

centrations detected by the different sampling methods.

3-46

Transport by drainage winds near end of release

As described above, some of the tracer was transported towards the

north. Large SF5 concentrations were detected near the center of the Fresno

metropolitan area, however, during Traverses 1-5, 2-4, and 3-3. These

traverses, conducted between 2000 and 2300 PST, detected SF5 near the inter

section of Highways 99 and 180. This material apparently represented SF6

released about the time the nighttime drainage winds (easterly flow) began to

develop. The tracer concentrations detected in the vicinity of Freno were