AN ASSESSMENT OF THE POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VOLCANIC ERUPTION AND SAHARAN DUST EVENTS IN TWO AIR QUALITY STATIONS AT FAJARDO AND GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO (2005-2007)

The island of Puerto Rico is regularly impacted by Saharan dust and volcanic ash produced by volcanic activity of Soufrière Hills volcano located at Monserrat Island. The local air quality is altered due to the presence of many particulate matter measurements in various stations at Puerto Rico Island. In this study, two stations (Fajardo and Guaynabo) that collect data of particulate matter PM10 were evaluated to identify the magnitude and occurrence of these events during the period 2005-2007. Results demonstrated that major occurrence of Saharan dust and volcanic ash that impacting local air quality was observed from June to September. Particulate material of the Saharan dust is captured by the trade winds, strong easterly winds that make the particulate reach from the Atlantic Ocean. The presence of ashes is apparently caused by sudden eruptions, continuous steams and sulfur emissions coming from the Soufrière Hills volcano. However, the appearance of these events may be associated with the trade winds magnitude and tropical weather systems occurrence at Puerto Rico area.