Background The development of the city of Patras, including harbour relocation, in conjunction with the protection of the regional ecosystems,
requires air quality assessment and management. For this reason, a model applicable in the Patras area is necessary and valuable.
The goal of this study was to validate a model suitable for predicting the dispersion of sulfur dioxide (SO2), based on particular activity, topography and weather conditions.
Methods We used the US-EPA ISCLT3 integral dispersion model to predict SO2 concentrations for Patras, Greece. We assumed that the major contribution to Patras air pollution came from central heating,
harbour and traffic. We calculated traffic emissions using COPERTIII.
Results and Discussion Assigning suitable values of the mixing height, the model predicted the local and spatial distribution of the mean monthly
SO2 concentrations in downtown Patras, as well computed the contribution of the SO2 emissions originating from each particular source at each receptor location on a seasonal and annual basis. The comparison
between predictions and measurements shows that the model performance for estimating the SO2 concentrations and period pattern is satisfactory.
Conclusion The mixing height was the critical parameter for calibrating the model. Model validation promises satisfactory predictions
for SO2 pollution levels on monthly basis.
Recommendations and Outlook The model could be used in predicting SO2 concentrations and source contribution for several downtown Patras receptors using pertinent meteorological and emission
information. It could be also extended to predict the dispersion of other primary air pollutants. The calibrated model predictions
could be used to fill gaps in monitoring data, saving money and time, and help in assess and manage air quality as Patras
develops. 相似文献
Health risks associated with inhalation of fine particulate matter of 2.5 µm in diameter or smaller depend on their atmospheric levels and physicochemical properties. The relationships between chemical compositions and genotoxic activities of particles emitted by mineral industries, traffic and urban sources during summer and winter in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (France) were investigated.
The fine particles were separated in respect to water-soluble (13 minerals and metals) and organic-extractable (16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) components that were quantified. The chromosome damaging properties of the hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts were assessed using the centromeric micronucleus assay on a human lung fibroblast cell line.
The composition of the fine particulate matter was variable and depended upon the sources and seasons. Both the hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts induced chromosome damage: (1) in hydrophilic extracts, Ca and Zn affected chromosome losses induction; (2) acenapthylene affected chromosome damage (breakages and losses) induction and naphthalene affected chromosome damage and losses induction in lipophilic extracts without metabolic activation; and (3) benzo[a]pyrene affected chromosome losses induction in lipophilic extracts with metabolic activation. Fine particulate matter arising from coal-fired power station, road traffic, and other urban sources were the most efficient to induce chromosome breakage. 相似文献
The effect of atmospheric discharge from the Pechenganikel' Integrated Plant, the main source of sulfur dioxide in northern
Europe, on changes in acidity and cation exchange properties of forest litters formed on podzol soils was estimated in forest
ecosystems at the northern limit of their range. As the plant is approached, the contents of exchangeable potassium and acidity
proved to decrease, whereas the contents of nickel and copper increased by two orders of magnitude and reached one-quarter
of the total cation exchange capacity. The multivariate analysis of spatial interrelations revealed the natural structure
of litter properties, including those concerning exchangeable bases, pollutants, and parameters of acidity. 相似文献