Chow, JC; Zielinska, B; Watson, JG; Fujita, EM; Richards, HW; Neff, WD; Dietrich, D; Hering, SV
Colorado State University, Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere. This document is a companion to the Northern Front Range Air Quality Study Final Report (Watson et al., 1998a). The ambient monitoring network during the Northern Front Range Air Quality Study (NFRAQS) consists of air quality, visibility, and meteorological measurements. These include: Continuous gaseous measurements of sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), ammonia (NH3), and carbon monoxide (CO); Continuous particle mass and composition measurements of PM10, sulfur, and nitrate; Filter-pack aerosol measurements of PM10, PM2.5, and precursor gases of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitric acid (HNO3), and ammonia (NH3); Optical measurements of total light extinction, fine and total particle light scattering, and total particle light absorption; Scene measurements of time-lapse video and photographs; and Surface and upper-air meteorological measurements. Section A.1 documents the measurement sites for each of the three field campaigns during winter 1996 (01/16/96 to 02/29/96), summer 1996 (07/17/96 to 08/31/96), and winter 1997 (12/09/96 to 02/07/97). Continuous measurements of air quality, visibility, and meteorology are documented in Sections A.2 to A.4, respectively. Eight different configurations of filter-pack measurements are described in Section A.5 along with the sampling and analysis of organic compounds in Section A.6. Each of these measurements is divided into four to five subcategories to address: 1) measurement methods, 2) data reduction and validation, 3) consistency tests, and 4) data qualification statement and/or 5) summary. Section A.7 documents the data base structures and contents along with their internet access for the validated data bases assembled for the NFRAQS. Four to five levels of data validation were applied to the NFRAQS data base. Data bases documented in this report have undergone Level 0, Level 1A, Level 1B, and/or Level 2 data validation procedures. Consistency tests demonstrate that appropriate gaseous, particle, visibility, and meteorological measurements were made for the study with sufficient accuracy, precision, and validity to meet NFRAQS data quality objectives.