10th Avenue Marine Terminal Air Monitoring Station, San Diego, California

10th Avenue Marine Terminal is an air monitoring station located at 1179 Terminal St. in San Diego, California, United States. It is part of the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District's monitoring network, which tracks ambient air quality in the region. The station is operational and contributes to the district's efforts to assess and manage air pollution in the San Diego area. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Air Quality System (AQS), which sets standards for criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and lead. As a local monitoring site, it supports compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and provides data for public health advisories and emission reduction strategies. The station's location near a marine terminal suggests it may monitor emissions from port-related activities, including ships, trucks, and cargo handling equipment. The environmental significance of this station lies in its role in characterizing air quality in a coastal urban-industrial zone. San Diego's port area is a major hub for trade and transportation, and monitoring here helps identify pollution sources and trends. The data collected supports regulatory actions, community health assessments, and long-term air quality planning. The station's last sample date of September 27, 2024, indicates ongoing operation and data collection.

San Diego's air quality is influenced by a mix of urban, industrial, and port-related emissions, as well as meteorological factors like coastal inversions. The 10th Avenue Marine Terminal station is strategically sited to capture emissions from maritime activities, including diesel exhaust from ships and heavy-duty vehicles. Monitoring at this location helps assess the representativeness of air quality in the port area and supports compliance with California's stringent air quality standards, which often exceed federal requirements. The station's data contributes to the broader San Diego County air monitoring network, which includes sites in residential, industrial, and background locations.