Patterns and Concentrations of PM10 in a Mountainous Basin Region

ABSTRACT

In this study, continuous data of PM₁₀ (particles with aerodynamic diameter <10 u,m) concentration measurements for a 4-yr period were analyzed. These measurements have been carried out in the Eordea Basin, an industrial area in the northwestern mountainous region of Greece. The annual, monthly, and diurnal patterns are presented and investigated regarding the prevailing meteorological conditions and atmospheric processes that affect the ambient concentrations of PM₁₀. The effect of wind on controlling PM₁₀ concentration is also discussed. Based on the data analysis, an attempt is made to provide useful information about air quality levels, taking into account U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards.     

Respirable particulate matter at an urban and nearby industrial location: concentrations and variability and synoptic weather conditions during high pollution episodes

Continuous data of the concentration measurements of respirable suspended particulates (PM10, particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than or equal to 10 pm) were analyzed. These measurements were carried out at an urban and nearby industrial location in northern Greece for the 5-year period 1996-2000. The time series concentration trend was examined, the seasonal and diurnal variations were identified, and the lognormality of the daily mean concentration data sets was tested. Over the 5-year data-gathering period, the days on which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 24-hr PM10 standard was exceeded (episode days) were identified and their relation to prevailing synoptic-scale meteorological conditions was studied. The analysis led to useful information concerning the air quality levels, the contribution of the main pollution sources in this area, as well as some of the mechanisms that influence the PM10 concentrations. It also was proved that the measured PM10 concentrations are a result of a combination of processes including local anthropogenic sources, mesoscale transport, and resuspension. A complex system of sources and meteorological conditions modulate the heavy particulate pollution in the area of interest.     

Particulate Matter Over A Seven Year Period in Urban and Rural Areas Within, Proximal and Far from Mining and Power Station Operations in Greece

Lignite mining operations and lignite-fired power stations result in major particulate pollution (fly ash and fugitive dust) problems in the areas surrounding these activities. The problem is more complicated, especially, for urban areas located not far from these activities, due to additional contribution from the urban pollution sources. Knowledge of the distribution of airborne particulate matter into size fraction has become an increasing area of focus when examining the effects of particulate pollution. On the other hand, airborne particle concentration measurements are useful in order to assess the air pollution levels based on national and international air quality standards. These measurements are also necessary for developing air pollutants control strategies or for evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies, especially, for long periods. In this study an attempt is made in order to investigate the particle size distribution of fly ash and fugitive dust in a heavy industrialized (mining and power stations operations) area with complex terrain in the northwestern part of Greece. Parallel total suspended particulates (TSP) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM10) concentrations are analyzed. These measurements gathered from thirteen monitoring stations located in the greater area of interest. Spatial, temporal variation and trend are analyzed over the last seven years. Furthermore, the geographical variation of PM10 – TSP correlation and PM10/TSP ratio are investigated and compared to those in the literature. The analysis has indicated that a complex system of sources and meteorological conditions modulate the particulate pollution of the examined area.     

Levels and Trend of Suspended Particles around Large Lignite Power Stations

The results of a 16 year long sampling program in a heavily industrialized area of NW Greece are presented and analyzed. Fourlignite power stations are operated in this area, which account forabout 70% of the total electrical energy produced in Greece.Ambient concentrations of Total Suspended Particles (TSP) over much of the period 1983–1998 as well as of particles of less than10 m aerodynamic diameter (PM₁₀) for three years were measured. Emphasis is given on the assessment of the levels of the daily average concentrations for the data period as well asthe determination of the spatial and temporal variation of suspended particle concentrations. Based on the data analysis, useful information is provided about air quality levels after taking into account air quality standards. The interannual concentrations trend is also investigated and an attempt is madeto examine the effectiveness of antipolluting procedures, which have occasionally been implemented in this industrial area. Finally the results are compared to those in the literature.     

PM10, O3, CO Concentrations and Elemental Analysis of Airborne Particles in a School Building

Measurements of indoor and outdoor PM10, as well as indoor O₃ and CO concentrations were conducted and are presented here. These measurements were carried out at an institute building, located in a suburban industrial area in Greece. Both indoor and outdoor PM10 samples were also collected and their elemental composition was identified by ED-XRF analysis. Twenty seven major, minor and trace elements were identified. The measurements took place generally in different periods of institute operation, from June 2004 to February 2005. The indoor PM10 concentrations which were measured during the normal operation period of the institute were found to be many times higher than the respective outdoor PM10 concentrations of the same periods. On the contrary, the indoor PM10 concentrations which were measured during the holiday period were found to be lower than their corresponding outdoor values. Indoor O₃ and CO concentrations were found to be in low level. Indoor PM10 concentrations were found to be in a relative good correlation with O₃ (r = 0.45) and in high correlation (r = 0.98) with CO concentrations. On average, total elements concentrations were much higher indoors relative to outdoors. Based on above findings we attempted to determine the pollution sources of the indoor environment and to investigate some parameters or chemical processes that affect indoor pollutants’ levels.     

ESEM–EDX characterisation of airborne particles from an industrialised area of northern Greece

The aim of this study was to characterise individual airborne particles collected from the Ptolemais-Kozani region (Western Macedonia), northern Greece. Throughout a 1-year period (March 2003 to February 2004), we collected several filters that captured airborne particles at seven sampling sites distributed throughout the area. The airborne particles captured on the filters were then characterised by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The particles were categorised as geogenic, biogenic and anthropogenic. The main anthropogenic airborne particles were fly ash (released from lignite-fired power plants) and carbonaceous (soot and char) and metalliferous (mainly iron- and copper-enriched) particulates. We present here characteristic ESEM and EDX spectra for the airborne particles and underline the presence of characteristic primary and secondary sulphates.     

Atmospheric stability and PM10 concentrations at far distance from elevated point sources in complex terrain: worst-case episode study

Atmospheric stability is the most important parameter affecting dilution of air pollutants. It plays a very important role in the investigation of parameters that affect ambient pollutant concentrations, especially in the case of complex terrain areas. In this study, the classification of atmospheric stability by Pasquill-Turner classes and any associated variation of ambient PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameter<10 microm) concentrations for a region of complex terrain is investigated. Real experimental meteorological and PM10 data are used for a 2-year period from one observation station far distant from the main stack sources and they are related with the classified atmospheric stability categories in an hourly and monthly based distribution. A more detailed analysis is carried out during PM10 episodes for the same period in order to reveal the governing worst-case atmospheric conditions.     

PM10 pollution episodes as a function of synoptic climatology in a mountainous industrial area

In this study an attempt is made to investigate the prevailing meteorological conditions during days with high concentrations of PM10 (particles with diameter < 10 microns), collected in the Eordea mountain basin. This is an industrial area in the northwestern mountainous region of Greece. Over the 4-year data-gathering period, the days in which the United States Environmental Protection Agency 24-h PM10 standard was exceeded (episode days), were identified in relation to prevailing synoptic scale and local meteorological conditions. The results indicated that days with increased PM10 concentrations in this area can be grouped into four categories in relation to their synoptic circulation characteristics. The highest concentrations were found to be associated with stagnant conditions. Under these conditions, local circulations developed in the area, resulting in recirculation and accumulation of pollutants.     

Patterns and concentrations of PM10 in a mountainous basin region

In this study, continuous data of PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameter < 10 microns) concentration measurements for a 4-yr period were analyzed. These measurements have been carried out in the Eordea Basin, an industrial area in the northwestern mountainous region of Greece. The annual, monthly, and diurnal patterns are presented and investigated regarding the prevailing meteorological conditions and atmospheric processes that affect the ambient concentrations of PM10. The effect of wind on controlling PM10 concentration is also discussed. Based on the data analysis, an attempt is made to provide useful information about air quality levels, taking into account U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards.