In collaboration with University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, we are working on characterizing dust concentrations during major dust events over Puerto Rico associated with the Saharan Air Layer. The Saharan air layer (SAL) carries dry, dusty air from the Sahara Desert, which can travel
thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean. PM 10 is most common in Saharan dust, leading to
health concerns and reduced visibility. Due to its geographical location, Puerto Rico is
particularly impacted by SAL during the months of June through September. Despite its
vulnerability, the existing air quality monitoring network faces limitations, especially in the
distribution of PM 10 sensors (e.g., lack of PM 10 sensors on the west coast) and availability of data.
Nevertheless, low-cost sensors (LCS) can provide monitoring opportunities and information to
communities about their local air quality. Here we analyze the impacts of the SAL on air quality
as it moves across Puerto Rico. To address the observational gaps, we deployed five
MODULAIR-PM sensors across the island to track the movement of SAL and its effects on air
quality. Since the accuracy of sensor data can be of concern, we compared LCS data with
information collected by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to
implement necessary corrections. Our initial findings reveal that hourly and daily PM 10
observations from LCS have higher values when compared to EPA data for the sensors located in
Ponce, Puerto Rico. This suggests the need for potential corrections in the LCS data, accounting
for relative humidity and additional factors, to ensure data accuracy. Ongoing research aims to
refine these corrections and explore the influence of topography and meteorology on SAL in
Puerto Rico. Overall, integrating LCS in assessing the impacts of the SAL on Puerto Rico’s air
quality can empower communities to make informed decisions and anticipate conditions
effectively.
