Air Pollution in San Pedro Garza García, Mexico

April 12, 2016

San Pedro-1 epod

Photographer: Cesar Cantu
Summary Authors: Cesar Cantu; Jim Foster

The photo above shows the effects of air pollution and a low-level atmospheric inversion on the city of  San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. A temperature inversion, colder air at the surface and warmer air aloft, traps contaminants close to the ground, causing decreased visibility and allowing unhealthy to overwhelm the city. Geography enhances the predicament of San Pedro Garza García since the surrounding mountains deter air flow, thereby promoting stagnation. If the air is sufficiently moist, smog develops, as was the case this early spring day. Here, the mountain in the background (the Sierra Madre Oriental) appears to be floating on the smog layer. Photo taken on March 27, 2016.

Photo Details: Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark III; Lens: EF300mm f/4L IS USM; Focal Length: 300mm; Aperture: ƒ/8.0; Exposure Time: 0.0010 s (1/1000); ISO equiv: 100; Software: Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Windows).

[1/19]