Transboundary Air-Pollution Transport in the Czech-Polish Border Region between the Cities of Ostrava and Katowice

Abstract

Objective: The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) estimated the transboundary transport of air pollution between the Czech Republic and Poland by assessing relationships between weather conditions and air pollution in the area as part of the "Air Quality Information System in the Polish-Czech border of the Silesian and Moravian-Silesian region" project (http://www.air-silesia.eu). Estimation of cross-border transport of pollutants is important for Czech-Polish negotiations and targeted measures for improving air quality. Methods: Direct measurement of PM 10 and sulphur dioxide (SO 2) concentrations and the direction and wind speed from measuring stations in the vicinity of the Czech-Polish state border in 2006-2012. Results: Taking into account all the inaccuracies, simplifications and uncertainties, by which all of the measurements are affected, it is possible to state that the PM 10 transboundary transport was greater from the direction of Poland to the Czech Republic, rather than the other way around. Nevertheless, the highest share of the overall PM 10 concentration load was recorded on days with a vaguely estimated airflow direction. This usually included days with changing wind direction or days with a distinct wind change throughout the given day. A changeable wind is most common during low wind speeds. It can be assumed that during such days with an ambiguous daily airflow, the polluted air saturated with sources on both sides of the border moves from one country to the other. Therefore, we could roughly ascribe an equal level of these concentrations to both the Czech and Polish side. Conclusions: PM 10 transboundary transport was higher from Poland to the Czech Republic than from the opposite direction, despite the predominant air flow from the Czech Republic to Poland.

Characterization of PM10 Sampled on the Top of a Former Mining Tower by the High-Volume Wind Direction-Dependent Sampler Using INNA

“…In the cold part of the year, the PM 10 concentrations originating in the Polish borderland (the north, northeast and east direction) increased by almost 50%, despite the prevailing wind in this season blowing in the opposite direction. This fact has already been stated in many previous studies [3,21,26,27,29] and confirms once again the importance of the cross-border PM pollution in this region, emphasizing that it is not just a problem of directly adjacent areas but of the region as a whole.…”

“…All the studies emphasized the role of both the industry and the transboundary pollution from Poland (caused mainly by domestic boilers). According to these studies and state air quality monitoring [9,29], the highest PM concentrations occur near the Czech-Polish border (characterized by more prominent growth in the colder half of the year and during smog events) and also close to important industrial sources where the limit values of PM happened to be reached not only during the winter season. The air quality in the region is significantly influenced by the rate and nature of cross-border pollution transmission along the most frequent wind directions (typically SW/NE), together with the inverse character of the weather with steady atmosphere and subsequently worsened dispersion conditions, which significantly contribute to increased air pollution during the winter.…”

Ambient Air Quality in the Czech Republic: Past and Present

“…The Ostrava region, with its concentrated heavy industry was in the past nicknamed the steel heart of the country. The heavy air pollution in this region results from several major sources, such as traditional steel and coke plants, local heating (with common burning of waste or coal powder) and traffic and, last but not least, by regional transport of polluted air masses from industrial parts of Poland [137][138][139][140][141][142][143]. Industry is apparently the major source of ultrafine particles (UFP) [144,145], the aerosol fraction which is blamed for the strongest effects on human health [146].…”

Concentration Variability of Water-Soluble Ions during the Acceptable and Exceeded Pollution in an Industrial Region

“…The territory of the City Ostrava has above-average occurrences of calm weather. The weather conditions combined with high industrialization of regions in the Czech Republic and Poland influence the origin of long smog episodes with concentrations of PM 10 in the atmosphere at the level of hundreds of micrograms [16] Air pollution is concentrated mainly during poor dispersion conditions, especially in the winter season [17].…”