Influence of some meteorological parameters and forest fires on PM10 concentrations in a southwest zone of Mexico Valley

The relationship between PM10 concentrations and some meteorological parameters was analysed. Sampling was made from January (1998) to June (2001) in the campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) at the southwestern part of the Mexico Valley. Year 1998 had extensive forest fires. A linear multivariate model was constructed. The model's adequacy to extrapolate daily average values was tested. The concentrations were extrapolated backwards from January to July (1998). However, when the observed and calculated PM10 values were compared, an increase in PM10 observed values of 88% was found that could be attributed to the forest fires.