Monitoring of Atmospheric Particles

Particle data from Canadian and U.S. ground-based monitoring networks from 1982 forward include the following:

  • Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD);
  • Aerosol Size Distribution;
  • Aerosol Number;
  • Aerosol Chemical Composition;
  • Particulate Matter Mass;
  • Particulate Matter <= 2.5 microns (PM2.5);
  • Particulate Matter <= 10 microns (PM10);
  • Particulate Metals.

For further information about Atmospheric Particles Data, see the Monitoring of Atmospheric Particles_Metadata.pdf file. These measurements help scientists understand the linkages between aerosol chemical composition, aerosol radiative properties, cloud formation and precipitation.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Last Updated April 17, 2026, 21:02 (UTC)
Created April 17, 2026, 21:02 (UTC)
contact_person {}
criticality_level []
data_dictionary []
geographic_scope []
open_canada_collection primary
open_canada_date_published 2016-08-10 00:00:00
open_canada_keywords {"fr": ["Air", "qualité de l’air", "surveillance atmosphérique", "particules atmosphériques", "réseaux et études", "NAtChem", "spéciation", "MP2.5", "Spéciation de PM2.5", "métaux"], "en": ["Air", "Air Quality", "Atmospheric Monitoring", "NAtChem", "Networks and Studies", "Atmospheric Particles", "Great Lakes Basin", "GLB", "Aerosol Robotic (Canadian) Network", "AEROCAN", "Aerosol Optical Depth", "AOD", "Aerosol_Size", "speciation", "particulate matter", "PM2.5", "Metals"]}
open_canada_subject ["nature_and_environment"]
sensitivity_level unrestricted
title_fr Surveillance des particules atmosphériques
update_frequency as_needed