The impact of thermal inversion on the variability of PM10 concentration in winter seasons in Tricity

Abstract

The paper concerns the effect of thermal inversions on PM10 concentrations in winter seasons between 2004-2005 and 2012-2013 in Tricity. Temperature inversions were analyzed using aerological measurements timed at 00 UTC and 12 UTC obtained from the aerological station in Łeba. The PM10 concentrations were obtained from five Agency of Regional Air Quality stations in the Gdańsk metropolitan area (ARMAAG). The effect of inversion conditions on the variability of daily PM10 concentrations was assessed using single and multiple linear regressions. The unfavorable conditions of PM10 dispersion in the lower troposphere were mostly determined by elevated inversions, which occurred with comparable frequency, nearly 90%, during the day as well as at night. Surface inversions were recorded at a frequency of 30% at night and only 10% during daytime. The strongest adverse effect on PM10 concentrations and their variability during the period of calendar winter was found to be related to the thickness of surface inversions at night. A significant yet substantially less adverse effect during both day and night, however, was found to be related to the thickness of the lowest layer of upper inversion. The high location of the base of upper inversion, primarily during the daytime , contributed to a decrease in PM10 concentration.

Application of Artificial Neural Networks in the Prediction of PM10 Levels in the Winter Months: A Case Study in the Tricity Agglomeration, Poland

“…Such high concentrations were reported in January 2006, when extremely unfavourable meteorological Atmosphere 2018, 9, 203 6 of 14 conditions caused by the influence of a Siberian high-pressure system were found to be associated with the occurrence of severe PM 10 episodes all over Poland [20,48]. Even though the agglomeration of Tricity is one of the regions in Poland characterised by, on average, the lowest particulate matter pollution, almost every winter, the recorded concentrations exceed the EU 24 h limit value for PM 10 [20,27,39,49]. High PM 10 concentrations, as well as those exceeding the standards set by the EU limit value, are recorded predominantly during the heating seasons and mainly result from the emissions due to combustion for energy generation purposes [41], the intensity of which is determined by the course of the air temperature.…”

“…Even though the agglomeration of Tricity is one of the regions in Poland characterised by, on average, the lowest particulate matter pollution, almost every winter, the recorded concentrations exceed the EU 24 h limit value for PM10 [20,27,39,49]. High PM10 concentrations, as well as those exceeding the standards set by the EU limit value, are recorded predominantly during the heating seasons and mainly result from the emissions due to combustion for energy generation purposes [41], the intensity of which is determined by the course of the air temperature.…”

“…Apart from emission, the predictors used in most prognostic models of air quality are weather conditions. The dispersion of pollutants is mainly determined by thermal conditions, air movement dynamics, and the type of circulation or thermal stratification within the atmospheric boundary layer [20,[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40].…”

Application of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Method to Assess the Impact of Meteorological Elements on Concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM10): A Case Study of the Mountain Valley (the Sącz Basin, Poland)

“…Among the most polluted cities in Poland and in the world are those located in mountain valleys [1,[15][16][17]. Research on the impact of meteorological conditions on particulate concentrations in the air has shown a clear relationship between elevated concentrations and specific weather conditions [18][19][20][21][22]. Researchers are increasingly investigating what factors, besides anthropogenic ones, are determinants of air pollution, such as elevated PM 10 concentrations.…”

Suitability analysis of new air quality monitoring stations in Krakow as related to assessment of spatial and temporal variability of PM10 concentrations

“…Many studies suggest that particulate matter concentrations and atmospheric conditions are correlated [1,15,16]. Wind speed and direction as well as mixing-layer height (thermal inversion) are very important factors that affect air pollutant concentrations [17,18]. Dense urban housing makes ventilation conditions worse and aggravates pollution in big cities, including Krakow [19,20].…”