Aerosol characterization in sites of special interest in Argentina and applications to relevant problems

MICHELETTI M. I.; M. FREIRE; PIACENTINI R.D.; M. VEGA; L. TOSELLO; B. GARCIA; G. SALUM; J. MAYA; A. MANSILLA

La Paz

Workshop; Latin American and Caribbean Aerosol Measurements School: from measurements technologies to applications; 2015

CHACALTAYA GAW STATION - LABORATORIO FISICA DE LA ATMOSFERA UMSA - IAI - IRD - WMO - AWG -LGGE - MCE2 - OSUG 2020 - WCCAP

Results of different experiments performed in sites of special interest in Argentina are presented. Experiments and sites of measurements have been chosen in order to apply the results to relevant scientific and/or technical problems. We present results of aerosol monitoring and analysis in locations related with astrophysical/astronomical/solar facilities. One is the Pierre Auger Observatory of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays (www.auger.org), Mendoza Province. Others are Andean sites, in Salta and San Juan Provinces, proposed by the Argentinean CTA (Cherenkov Telescope Array) Collaboration of high energy gamma rays (www.cta-observatory.org/), for the construction of the CTA Observatory, and that are also good sites for the construction of solar power plants, due to clear sky conditions and high solar radiation levels. The aerosol spectrometer Grimm 1.109 was used during campaigns performed at these places. Also, dust deposition analysis in optical surfaces is included. Dust is collected with passive samplers on mirrors of the Auger Observatory and on solar panels in Rosario city. Finally, high contamination events affecting Argentinean regions, like volcanic eruptions are investigated. Aerosol concentrations and morphological - elemental characterization are presented. Gravimetric and SEM/EDX analysis was performed on collected samples.