Personally, I do not know exactly how memory is handled in the EQ client. I know there were a number of optimizations done between the Titanium and UF client that are both supported on the Emulator. Using the UF client, I have never had memory issues with zones (specifically SH), but when testing with Titanium I have experienced them before.
My main curiosity in asking about the tests with particles, is that our SH revamp includes a lot of extra texture files, specifically particles throughout the zone. While a vast number of them have been disabled, some are still running. Another major part of our SH revamp was the inclusion of a large number of static objects (rocks) throughout the zone in various shapes/sizes. If the particle changes do not affect the memory issues that players (mainly Titanium users) have been experiencing, then we may look at reducing some of the "not so needed" static objects to see if that will help.
Again, we are aware of the issue within SH and have been trying to figure out exactly where the memory issues are occurring at (in reference to what is causing them). I have personally spent quite a few hours on the Titanium (UF is sooooo much better btw) client trying to find the crash, but as you know, it is very intermittent and sometimes it is just easier for me to handle more "reproducible" bugs.
So.. again, please read my earlier post (above) and let us know if those changes affect anything

Oh the fun you all are going to have in DSK3...
Simon says.. touch the green one! Nooooo BLIQUE NOT THE RED ONE! zomg you just got me "Vaion Touched"!