Controls on mineral dust emissions at four arid locations in the western USA

Abstract Dust emission measurements from unique military sources, including tracked and wheeled military vehicles, low flying rotary-winged aircraft, and artillery backblast, were conducted in the course of four field campaigns in 2005–2008, at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) in Arizona (twice), Yakima Test Center (YTC) in Washington State, and Ft. Carson in Colorado. This paper reports on the observed relationships between levels of dust emission, and the mineralogy, particle size, and chemical composition of the surface sediment and associated airborne mineral dust. We propose a mechanism for the generation of fine particulate matter, providing an explanation for high emissions in certain regions. PM 10 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of 10 and PM 2.5 emissions measured at YTC can be explained by the high silt and low clay content of the surface sediment, attributed to glacial loess. In the other test areas, the abrasion of microscopic clay and oxide coatings, from and by silicate mineral grains, is considered a factor in the generation of fine particulate matter.