Long-Term Spatial and Temporal Assessment of Criteria Air Pollutants Concentration Trends in the Lower Rio Grande Valley Region of Texas, USA

Air pollution is a substantial environmental challenge all over the world. This study investigated the long-term air pollution levels in the Lower Rio Grande Valley region, by utilizing data collected from five continuous ambient monitoring stations in two counties over 23 years, from January 2000 to December 2022, to analyze daily, monthly, and seasonal variations of different pollutants, including ground-level ozone, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide. This study also identified distinct daily and seasonal patterns for O3, PM2.5, PM10, and CO at each monitoring site, influenced by factors such as traffic emissions, temperature, solar radiation, indoor heating, and weather conditions. Finally, this study explored the long-term patterns in annual pollutant concentrations to understand the impact of urbanization and community development on air quality. This finding is essential for policymakers to develop effective air quality management strategies to minimize pollution levels and their adverse effects on human health and the ecosystem