Continuous data of the concentration measurements of respirable suspended particulates (PM 10 , particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than or equal to 10 µm) 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 PM 10 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 PM 10 concentrations. It also was proved that the measured PM 10 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.
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 microm (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.
The lignite long-lasting exploitation has resulted in a series of negative impacts on the air quality of the lignite basin of Ptolemaida, Amynteo and Florina. The coal-fired plants in this region are the greatest sources of air pollutants, such as SO2, NOX, CO2, PM, heavy metals and fly ash. In this study, we investigate the air quality of Western Macedonia based on measurements of PM2.5 and PM10 in ten air quality monitoring stations (Filotas, Koilada, Oikismos, Petrana, Komi, Amyntaio, Florina, Vevi-Meliti, Pontokomi and Anargyroi) which are located in the broader area of the lignite power plants. The trends of PM time series over a 12-year period (2010-2021) show a gradual decrease of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations following the decline of lignite production in Greece. In order to characterize the underlying atmospheric and anthropogenic processes affecting the PM concentrations we assessed the ratios of PM2.5 to PM10. The high ratios of PM2.5/PM10 indicate a major contribution of fine particles attributable to anthropogenic air pollution sources, while small ratios indicate that coarse particles are dominant, which might be related to natural sources of air pollution. We found that average PM2.5/PM10 ratios during the study period ranged between 0.48 in Oikismos and 0.70 in Florina and Vevi-Meliti. For Florina and Vevi-Meliti, the daily PM2.5/PM10 ratios were found to reach the value of 1.0, while the daily average ratios of PM2.5/PM10 were above 0.9 for almost the 15 % of the days in these sites. In the other sites high daily ratios of PM2.5/PM10 were found for a lesser number of days. The high ratios which have been found at these sites indicate the considerable contribution of energy combustion for heating purposes and other anthropogenic processes. Overall, we used the PM2.5/PM10 ratio to characterize the processes affecting the air quality within the local environment.
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