Concentration of atmospheric particulates during a dust storm period in central Taiwan, Taichung

In this study we monitored concentrations of particles in central Taiwan using PS-1 ŽGPS1 PUF Sampler. and Model 310 Universal Air SamplerTM ŽUASTM. from 02 23 2001 to 03 12 2001 at two sampling sites. During this period, an Asian dust storm moved across central Taiwan from 3 3 to 3 6. The total ambient air particle concentrations during the dust storm period were than compared with previous data from this region. In general, the average total suspended particulate ŽTSP. concentration order was during dust storm period after dust storm period non-dust storm period at both HKITT Žtraffic. and THUC Žrural. sampling sites. The ratio of PM2.5 PM10 was 60% before and after the dust storm period. However, this ratio was decreased to less than 50% during the dust storm. This demonstrates that the coarse particulate concentrations ŽPM2.5 10 . increased during the dust storm period. In contrast the increase of ambient air particles concentrations after the Taiwan Chi-Chi Earthquake were mainly due to fine particles ŽPM2.5.. And, the increased of ambient air particles concentrations after dust storm period were mainly coarse particle ŽPM2.5 10 . concentrations in central Taiwan.