Monitoring of ambient air quality and meteorological conditions at multiple near-shore stations was performed to investigate the pollutant concentrations impacting these areas and the meteorological characteristics which affect dispersion and transport over the OCS region. This project report presents the findings from these observations. In order to study spatial and temporal variations over the northeast Gulf, one monitoring station was deployed on Breton Island, located at the southern extent of the Chandeleur Island chain off the southeast coast of Louisiana. This island is part of the Breton National Wildlife Area, and has Class I designation. The second station was installed on the eastern end of Dauphin Island, Alabama, near the southwest entrance of Mobile Bay.
Dauphin Island is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
The stations were similarly equipped for measurement of ambient SO 2 and NOx using EPA approved monitors. No meteorological measurements were made at Dauphin since the site was located adjacent to the NOAA C-MAN station DPIA1. All data was stored on site and offloaded during regular servicings, at which time the air quality monitors were inspected and calibrated in accordance with methods described in the Code of Federal Regulations. The period of record at Breton extended from October 1994 through August 1998 and at Dauphin from March 1996 to May 1998. All data was quality controlled through calibration reports and station operator notes.