U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards (OAQPS], Ambient Air Monitoring
Group (AAMG)
March 2023
PM2.5 Chemical
Speciation Network
[CSN)
CSN Newsletter
This is the March, 2023 issue of the CSN newsletter. You can find previous editions of
the newsletter here. We use the newsletter to communicate information on CSN that
is useful to the State, Local, and Tribal (SLT) monitoring agencies and data validators,
as well as users of CSN data. The EPA AMTIC page for CSN is here.
CSN National Contract Update
In early March 2023, the CSN Filter Shipping, Handling, and Laboratory Analysis Con-
tract was awarded to the Air Quality Research Center at the University of California at
Davis. The contract award includes a subcontract to RTI International (RTP, NC) for
the filter preparation, shipping, handling, and gravimetric analysis work. This award
means that UC Davis will continue conducting the lab analysis, data review, validation
and submission, but the filter preparation, shipping, handling, and gravimetric analy-
sis work will transition to RTI International. We are planning for a 90-day transition
period, so the transition will occur later this spring. We are committed to minimizing
impacts of this transition on site operators and other CSN stakeholders. Please stay
tuned for more information about the timeline and details of the transition.
Air Quality System (AQS) and CSN
Data
When using CSN data for data analysis projects, we recommend
downloading data from AQS (e.g., via the API and Air Data). Occa-
sionally, data revisions are identified by the analysis lab resulting in
data updates in AQS. To ensure you are using the most up-to-date data for your analy-
sis, get the data from AQS right before beginning your analysis. Also, please remember
AQS is the official database for CSN data, and data are typically submitted to AQS six
months afterthe end of the sampling month (e.g., July 2022 data were submitted to
AQS in mid-January 2023).
Met One Super SASS
URG 30Q0N
Inside this issue
Recap of PM Speciation at the
NAAMC 2
Filter Absorption and HIPS 3
Custody and Field Data Forms .... 3
CSN/IMPROVE Archive 4
Update on CSN Sampler Flow Verifi-
cations/Audits and AQS 5
Special points of interest
• The 2023 Shipping and Sam-
pling Calendars for CSN are now
available
• Reminder of DART Page for
Agencies to Manage Users
• Sampler Maintenance and
Repair
• Site Relocations
• 2.020 and 202.1 Site Summaries
Available
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2023 Shipping and Sampling
Schedules Available
The 2023 CSN shipping and sampling
schedules for l- in-3 and l-in -6 day sam-
pling are now available. Copies of the
schedules were sent to site operators in a
December 202.2 shipment and also
emailed to site operators and EPA CSN
Region representatives.
The schedules have also been posted on
EPA's CSN AMTIC web site here.
CSN at the August 2022 National Ambient Air
Monitoring Conference
Reminder: DART Page for
Agencies to Manage Users
There is a "Manage Users" feature in
DART that allows monitoring agencies
to configure CSN validator's roles. Se-
lect your agency at the top left of the
Manage Users page to see a list of
users with a DART account. Individuals
can be assigned "CSN Admin", "CSN
Validato^', and/or "CSN Emails" roles.
Please confirm your Agency's Adminis-
trators, Validators, and those wishing to
get DART emails using this page
(uncheck or check the box as needed in
the corresponding columns). Note, the
"Manage Users" page is only visible to
users with the CSN Admin role.
To add a new validator, users must first
sign up for a DART account here.
EPA, in conjunction with AAPCA
and NACAA, hosted the 2022
National Ambient Air Monitoring
Conference (NAAMC) August 22-
25, 2022 in Pittsburgh, PA.
NAAMC had one 2-hour technical
session on PM Speciation and
included 20 minute talks ori:
• CSN Overview and Up-
dates— Melirida Beaver
(EPA)
• Source Specific Emission Factors of
BC and OC— Balint Alfoldy (Aerosol)
• Water Soluble Nitrogen— Kevin
Mishoe (Wood)
• Low-Cost, High Performance Indus-
trial Carbon Sensor— David Gobeli
(Met One)
• Interiaboratory Comparison of Ele-
mental Loadings via EDXRF and I CP-
MS — Colleen Rosales (UC Davis)
• Suspected Stainless Steel Contami-
nation on CSN Filters— Sean
Raff use (UC Davis)
Additionally, two CSN-related trainings
were offered:
• CSN Data Analysis and Review Tool
(DART) Training—Alex Murrain
(UCD) and Jennifer DeWinter (STI)
• CSN/IMPROVE Data Viewer Demon-
stration — Sean Rajfuse (UC Davis)
Several CSN Posters were also present-
ed:
• Application of Hybrid Integrating
Plate/Sphere Analysis for the Chem-
ical Speciation Network—Nick Spa-
da (UC Davis)
• Composition of Organic Aerosols in
the IMPROVE and CSN Networks—
Nicky Young (UC Davis)
• CSN Data Trends Before and After
the Contractor Transition in 2015—
Xiaolu Zhang (UC Davis)
• Evidence of Organic Sulfur in PM2.5
in CSN and IMPROVE Samples—
Tracy Domhek (RTI)
• Validation of CSN Data by Investiga-
tion — Alex Murrain (UC Davis)
• Next Generation Upgrades to the
IMPROVE PM Sampler— Faris Jaw-
da (UC Davis)
Slides for the presentations and data
validation training are available at:
https://www.epa.gov/amtic/2Q22-
national-ambient-air-monitoring-
conference.
2
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HIPS and Filter Light Absorption Measurements
Hybrid Integrating Plate/Sphere (HIPS)
Filter light absorption (Fabs) is
currently being measured on
CSN Teflon® filters using a HIPS
(Hybrid Integrating Plate and
Sphere) system. The HIPS uses
a 633nm (red) light source
directed at the filter. The trans-
mitted and reflected light are
measured for sampled and
blank filters and used to calcu-
late the absorption of the par-
ticulate matter on the filter.
This method has been used on
IMPROVE samples since 1994.
The HIPS data provides two
advantages to the CSN dataset:
1) as a cross-filter validation tool for elemental carbon which is measured using
Thermal/Optical Analysis on quartz filters; and 2) an additional parameter indica-
tive of the light absorbing nature of the sampled particulate matter.
Illumination: He-Ne laser at 633 nm
Starting with May 2022 samples, the filter light absorption data are being
submitted to DART for validator use and review and then submitted to AQS as
parameter 63120. For tips about using the Fabs parameter in data review and
validation, please see the DART training slides 52 and 53 posted here: https://
www.epa.gov/svstem/files/documents/2022-10/
CSN DART Training NAAMC v3 508.pdf.
CSN Custody and Field Data Forms
Just a reminder to print clearly when filling out field data sheets. The CSN con-
tractors work hard to enter field data into the database and clear, legible
handwriting helps speed this along and helps reduce errors. Thanks for your
continued efforts!
PM2.5 CSN CUSTODY
AND FIELD DATA FORM
A. CUSTODY RECORD (Name, Date)
Name
1. Laboratory Out: I
2. Site In: I
Bin ID:
Date
[J White (return to lab)
Q" Yellow (site retains)
Set:
Name
Date
3. Site Out:
4. Laboratory In:
2020 and 2021 Site Sum-
maries Available
Starting in 2017, our analysis labor-
atory contractor has compiled
individual CSN site summaries.
These summaries include infor-
mation on the site AQS ID, site
latitude/longitude, completeness,
daily reconstructed fine mass
(RCFM), long-term trends in RCFM,
chemical composition, and a map
of RCFM as compared to both
nearby CSN and Interagency Moni-
toring of PROtected Visual Environ-
ments (IMPROVE) monitoring sites.
To view all CSN site summaries for
2017—2021, please visit:
https://aqrc.ucdavis.edu/csn-field-
sites-maps.
Did you
know?
The CSN submits approximately 1.2
Million raw data records to AQS
each year:
• 78 routine parameters/site
• 79 l-in-3 sites
• 64 l-in-6 sites
• 1 field blank/site/month
Additionally, state and local moni-
toring agencies submit monthly QC
flow verification and audit data to
AQS,
Integrating
Sphere
ND filter
glass
Sample
filter + deposit
Integrating
Plate
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CSN/IMPROVE Archive [CIA) Tool
CSN Sampler Mainte-
nance and Repair
Monitoring agencies are responsi-
ble for the maintenance, repair,
and if needed, replacement, of CSN
samplers.
Please see the sampler Operators'
Manuals for recommended
maintenance tasks and schedules.
Contact info for sampler manufac-
turers is:
Met One: https://metone.com/
request-support/
URG: http://www.urgcorp.com/
index.php/contact
Reminder: Site Relocations
If monitoring agencies have a need to
relocate a CSN site, please discuss with
your CSN EPA Regional Representative.
Moving CSN sites that are designated as
STN sites or that are at NCore Stations
have a formal approval process per 40
CFR Part 58.11(c).
Also, setting up the new CSN monitors
in AQS is the responsibility of the moni-
toring agency, but please let your EPA
regional representative know if you
have questions about this process.
The CSN/IMPROVE Archive (CIA) is a suite
of interactive tools for CSN and IMPROVE
data that has been developed by the IJC
Davis Air Quality Research Center (AQRC).
Some things you can do with the CIA:
• Map concentrations, overlay satellite
imagery, and run backward trajectory
modeling to assess transport.
• Navigate in space and time simultane-
ously through interactive linked views
(see screenshot below).
• Assess how sampling methods at a site
have changed overtime.
• Look at data aggregated over months
or over a spatial region.
• Examine the relationship between
species,
• Look at network-wide and inter-
network trends.
• Analyze the frequency and pattern of
qualifier codes.
• Assess data quality through plots of
data from collocated monitors.
To access the CIA:
1) Go to https://particles.ucdavis.edu
and sign up.
2) Email sienup-aarc@ucdavis.edu to
request authorization
3) You should receive a notification that
your account is active; go to https://
particles.ucdavis.edu and explore.
Note, the CIA Tool is a match of the CSN
and IMPROVE data in UCD AQRC's database
and will not reflect updates to data that
states may have made after data were sub-
mitted to AQS.
A few development tasks for CIA are under-
way in 2023. If users have additional sug-
gestions for CIA development, please reach
out to sraffuse@ucdavis.edu or bea-
ver. meiindafSepa. gov.
An example from the CIA of a national spa-
tial map of Sulfur and a time series of CSN
and IMPROVE data for the selected site
Birmingham, AL (green dot on the map)
are provided below.
Sulfur PM2.5 LC i
2021-06-24
0.0-0.2
0 2-0.4
0
¦t-
1
0
01
0.6-0.8
O
1
00
d
1.0-1.2
1.2-1.4
o
- i y . ^ o
O o O 9 °o °
Q u 0I T E D 5 T AT eT QQ A®
o° • •• o cP o
m m • f ^
••J « o
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Update on CSN Sampler Flow Verifications/
Audits and AQS
In the March 2022 newsletter, we includ-
ed a summary of an effort to increase the
submission of CSN sampler flow rate re-
sults in AQS. EPA continues to work with
monitoring agencies on Phase I of the
process, which is to get missing 'Sampler
ID' and 'channel count' AQS fields updat-
ed. Once completed, we will move to
working with agencies to edit existing
fields where needed.
In each phase, EPA is preparing the AQS
transaction files, offering the monitoring
agencies a chance to upload them. Or if
the monitoring agencies request, EPA will
upload to AQS.
We would like to thank the state and local
monitoring agencies that have assisted
EPA with this ongoing effort and we look
forward to continuing the work. Please
contact Doug Jager (iager.doug(S>epa.gov)
if you have questions about this effort.
Flowrate Data Completeness
CSN Network Size
Flow Checks
in AQS l%|
Sampler
Count
2017
SASS
139
39.7
2017
URG
132
4B.1
2018
SAS5
141
42.0
20 IB
URG
-
49.2
2019
SASS
144
44.5
2019
URG
156
53.6
2020
SASS
»1
42.3
2020
URG
135
45.5
2021
SASS
141
38.3
2021
URG
136
45.6
Ambient Air Monitoring
Group (AAMG)
We plan, implement, and assess
the nation's ambient air quality
networks.
We collaborate with states, locals,
tribes, instrument compa-
nies, researchers and colleagues at
EPA and other Federal agencies
to optimize the ambient
air monitoring networks.
We provide oversight, guidance,
and tools to ensure quality data
for clean air decisions across the
country.
CSN Contacts
Wondering who the right people are to contact regarding CSN? The current contacts are:
EPA Contacts
Program Lead: Melinda Beaver: beaver.melinda(5)epa.gov
Technical Point of Contact: Joann Rice; rice.ioann@epa.gov
Quality Assurance: Doug Jager; iager.doug(5>epa.gov
Mega Performance Evaluation Program: Colin Barrette; barrette.coiin(a>epa.gov
Regional Contacts
Region 1: Anne McWilliams; mcwilliams.annefi5epa.gov
Region 2: Gavin Lau; lau.gavin(5)epa.gov
Region 3: Lori Hyden; hvden.loretta(5)epa.gov
Region 4: Keith Harris; hariis.keith@epa.gov
Region 5: Chad McEvoy; mcevov.chad(a>epa.gov
Region 6: Josh Madden; madden.ioshuatSepa.gov
Region 7: Leland Grooms; grooms. lelandiSepa.gov
Region 8: Josh Rickard; rickard,ioshua(£.'epa.gov
Region 9: Julia Carlstad carlstad.iulia(5)epa.gov
Region 10: Will Wallace; wallace.will(5>epa.gov
Genera! Contacts
CSNsupport (Ssonomatech.com
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