Abstract

HERRERA MURILLO, J.; ROJAS MARIN, J. F.; RODRIGUEZ ROMAN, S.  and  GARCIA MARTINEZ, R.. Sulfate, nitrate and chloride in PM₁₀ in the city of San José, Costa Rica: 2004-2006. Atmósfera [online]. 2010, vol.23, n.1, pp.83-94. ISSN 0187-6236.

The analysis of PM₁₀ levels in two sites of the city of San José (Catedral Metropolitana and Junta de Educación), in a period of 2.5 years (April 2004-October 2006), reported a median of 39 ± 8 and 27 ± 8 µg m^-3, respectively. In addition, SO₄²-, NO₃- and Cl^- levels were measured in both areas, where annual averages resulted not significantly different between each other. The analysis of main components, applied to the collected data, reveals a 65% of total variance explained by two factors. The PC1 correlates Cl^- concentration and wind speed, indicating a marine contribution to this ion. The PC2 shows a relation between SO₄²-, NO₃^- and PM₁₀ levels, demonstrating its anthropogenic origin.

Keywords : Atmospheric aerosols; inorganic anions; San José-Costa Rica.