Real-time measurements of mineral dust concentration in coarse particulate matter (PM10-2.5) by employing a novel optical-based technique in Los Angeles.

As a primary component of coarse particulate matter (PM), ambient mineral dust has been linked to adverse health effects. Los Angeles, the largest metropolitan urban area of the United States, is impacted by both windblown and localized sources of mineral dust, often internally mixed with black carbon. The estimation of mineral dust concentrations with a high time resolution becomes critical in improving our understanding of its sources and temporal trends. Using Aethalometers combined with a high-volume virtual impactor (VI) to enrich coarse (2.5