Characterization of atmospheric transport to the El Tajín archaeological zone in Veracruz, México

Abstract

Features of long- and short-range atmospheric transport to El Tajín, an important archaeological site in Veracruz, México, are investigated. The study is motivated by the need for an increased understanding of the meteorological processes contributing to acidic precipitation at Mesoamerican heritage sites, and is part of ongoing investigations of air quality in southeastern México. Using a variety of meteorological resources including global reanalysis fields, upwind trajectory analysis and local wind measurements, we find that both large-scale and local meteorological forcings in the region of the El Tajín archaeological zone favor transport from easterly and northerly sources. Significant acid precursor emissions exist in both of these upwind directions, including a large area of active oil platforms in the Bay of Campeche, about 500 km east or one day upwind of El Tajín.