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UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST
FACULTY OF PHYSICS Guest
2024-11-23 17:43 |
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Conference: Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2014 Meeting
Section: Atmosphere and Earth Science; Environment Protection
Title:
Insight into the air pollution in greater area of Bucharest: what do the data reveal?
Authors:
Gabriela IORGA (1), Cristina BALACEANU(2), Sabina STEFAN(3)
Affiliation:
1)University of Bucharest, Department of Physical Chemistry
2)Institute for Studies and Power Engineering – ISPE
3)University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, Bucuresti-Magurele
E-mail
gabriela.iorga@g.unibuc.ro
Keywords:
air pollution, PM10, PM2.5, NOx, SO2, CO, Eastern Europe
Abstract:
We investigate the primary pollutant levels (PM10, PM2.5, SO2, CO, and NOx) from eight sampling stations in the Bucharest for six years of continuous sampling 2005-2010. First part of this research deals with the assessment of concentrations, variability and compliance with the EU regulations, and the second one searches for factors controlling seasonal and spatial variations of PM levels. PM relationships with meteorological parameters were also investigated. Back trajectory modelling and wind direction frequency distributions were used to identify the origin of the polluted air masses. Contribution of combustion and non-combustion sources to PM for cold and warm seasons was quantified. A clear spatial gradient in concentrations across the city area from the highest averages at the hotspot traffic sites to the regional background sites was found. Over the years, we observed negative trends for all pollutants at majority of sites from values which exceed the limits in 2005 to a general compliance with EU-regulations in 2010 indicating that control measures were started to produce the desired effects; exception appears in the background levels where no major improvement was seen. CO and SO2 do not put serious problems relative to their limits values, but NOx still remains an issue of concern. Large contribution of fine particles to the particulate mass was found, but within the range of those reported for Europe. Combustion processes seem to contribute a little more to the PM during winter comparing to the warmer season. For three sites (traffic, urban and suburban background) no seasonal variation of this contribution of combustion could be identified. Pollution in the inner city seems to have a certain impact over the larger area around Bucharest, as meteorological factors favour this situation. Severe pollution events are mainly caused by local anthropogenic emissions and not by advections from long distances.
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