Complex Characterization of Fine Fraction and Source Contribution to PM2.5 Mass at an Urban Area in Central Europe

Abstract

It is well documented that Southern Poland is one of the most polluted areas in Europe due to the highest airborne concentrations of particulate matter (PM). Concentrations of fine particles are especially high in winter. Apart from detailed number concentrations, it is essential to accurately identify and quantify specific particulate pollution sources. Only a few Polish research centers are involved in such experiments—among them is Krakow research group. For the most part, research focuses on collecting 24-h average samples from stationary PM samplers at ambient monitoring sites and quantifying the specific elements and chemical constituents in PM. This approach includes modeling methods that can use the variability in physical and chemical PM characteristics as an input dataset to identify possible sources of the particles. The objective of this paper is to provide research results based on data collected from June 2018 to May 2019 from a single monitoring station at a central urban site. Careful comparison of data obtained prior to a 2019 law prohibiting solid fuel burning in the city of Krakow with data (2019–2020) when a regulation went into effect should indicate progress by noting lower PM levels. This work has shown that the method applied and Krakow results might be of interest to the broader community in regions of high PM concentration.

Human Health Risk Assessment of Air Pollution in the Regions of Unsustainable Heating Sources. Case Study—The Tourist Areas of Southern Poland

“…It should be noted that during the periods of low temperatures, exceeded permissible or recommended pollutant concentrations were identified in all locations investigated under the present project. It was concluded that the most important factors determining the air quality in the study area involved burning poor-quality fuels in stoves for heating purposes (coal-fired boilers, fireplaces, and tiled and cooking stoves) [60][61][62]. That issue is especially important in health resorts, where air quality is one of the most important factors influencing their therapeutic value [63].…”

Comparison of concentrations of chemical species and emission sources PM2.5 before pandemic and during pandemic in Krakow, Poland

“…To evaluate sources of particulate matter in Krakow receptor model positive matrix factorization (PMF) was used. Such studies were performed for PM 2.5 fraction for the whole years 2016/2017 and 2018/2019 for the AGH station by Samek et al 6 , 7 . In the study 6 four factors were obtained.…”

“…Non-identified source contributed 8.2% to PM 2.5 mass. In the study 7 also four factors were obtained from PMF analysis. They were attributed to the following sources: soil, traffic/industry, fossil fuel combustion and secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA).…”

“…Then, Positive Matrix Factorization modelling was used for determination of emission sources. The samples of PM 2.5 fraction were also collected in the previous 2018/2019 year at the same site and some results were already partially published 7 . However, raw data were used for comparison purposes of the two mentioned years.…”

Spring 2020 Aerosol Contamination of the Atmosphere over Kyiv City

“…It is essential to identify accurately and quantify specific air particulate matter pollution by the BB aerosol, especially in the urban areas. In situ PM concentration measurements are common technique to estimate the air pollution in different regions of the globe [10][11][12][13], particularly using low-cost instruments for the air quality monitoring networks [14,15]. Also the remote sensing measurements are used for it [16][17][18][19], modeling [20,12] and synergy of different techniques [21].…”