Wind Induced Resuspension of Particulate Matter Fractions in Urban Environment and Their Correlation to Nitrogen Oxides

Abstract

Air pollution by particulate matter (PM) in urban environment is an ongoing problem with increasing severity. With the gradual evolution of electromobility and lowemission heat sources, the focus is shifting to non-exhaust PM emissions. Wind induced PM resuspension is one of them. This source is hardly amenable to mitigation measures. It was assumed, that only coarse PM (PM10-2,5) can be lifted from the ground by the wind. By the evaluation of the long-term data series, we can divide the PM10 concentration to its fractions PM10-2,5, PM2,5-1, PM1 and evaluate their behaviour. The aim of the work was to evaluate the data in order to recognize the resuspension process, even with a fine fraction, PM1. The data were then compared with the NOx values to determine if the PM originated from combustion processes. The original assumption of a correlation between NOx and PM1 was not confirmed in most cases. The results show that in some cases coarse PM are dominantly associated with NOx. The correlation of fine and coarse particles with NOx in resuspension process depends primarily on the time period of the day.