Gaseous and particulate urban air pollution in the region of Vojvodina (Serbia)

Abstract

The present study focuses on interpretations of the temporal variations and variations between urban locations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and black smoke (BS) during the period 2001-2008 in the Vojvodina Region of Serbia (VR_S). In this study we examined variations of pollutants concentrations during household heating and non-heating seasons and the effect of household heating, traffic, rainfall and wind speed on the air pollution levels of SO2, NO2 and BS in eight locations. The analyses showed that the annual limit values of these pollutants as recommended by the Serbian regulations and recommendations were not exceeded, unlike the daily limits. Higher SO2 concentrations during household heating season in four locations indicate the substantial impact of house­hold heating on air quality. Positive effects of the use of environmentally cleaner fuels were observed in only two locations. The growing impact of traffic on air pollution is shown by the increasing trend of NO2 during both seasons. Calm wind conditions and an absence of rainfall were found to have incremental effects on pollution levels in most locations. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 43007: Studying climate change and its influence on the environment: impacts, adaptation and mitigation i br. III 43002: Biosensing Technolo­gies and Global System for Continuous Research and Integrated Management]

Keywords

• air pollution
• black smoke
• nitrogen dioxide
• sulfur dioxide
• Vojvodina