Bandelier NM Air Monitoring Station - Los Alamos County, New Mexico

Bandelier NM is an air monitoring station located on the north side of NM 4 in Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States. It is part of the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network, which focuses on assessing visibility impairment and particulate matter concentrations in protected areas. The station is operated by the National Park Service and is currently operational, with its most recent sample collected on February 27, 2025. As an IMPROVE site, Bandelier NM measures fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its chemical speciation, including sulfates, nitrates, organic carbon, and elemental carbon. These measurements support compliance with the US EPA's Regional Haze Rule and contribute to the national Air Quality System (AQS). The station's location near Bandelier National Monument ensures representative monitoring of background air quality in a remote, high-elevation environment. The data from Bandelier NM helps track long-term trends in visibility and air quality in the southwestern United States. This information is critical for understanding the impacts of regional pollution sources, such as wildfires and urban emissions, on protected natural areas. The station's continuous operation supports federal and state efforts to protect public health and scenic resources.

Bandelier NM operates within the IMPROVE network, which monitors visibility and particulate matter in Class I areas (national parks and wilderness areas). The station's siting in a remote, high-elevation location provides representative data on regional background air quality. Key parameters measured include PM2.5 mass and speciation, which are essential for assessing compliance with the Regional Haze Rule and understanding the impact of transported pollutants. The station's reporting continuity supports long-term trend analysis for the Colorado Plateau region.