Distribution of PM10, PM2.5, and NO2 in the Cergy‐Pontoise urban area (France)

Abstract

Abstract This study employed a network comprising 16 fixed “Ecosmart” sensors deployed in the Cergy‐Pontoise conurbation. Continuous measurements of PM10, PM2.5, and NO2, significant pollutants in the Paris region, were conducted from April 8 to June 6, 2022. The collected data were represented as statistically composite spatial matrices due to the heterogeneous urban landscape and the overlapping of multiple pollution sources. Temporal variations on a daily basis were influenced by both traffic and meteorological conditions. Daytime, characterized by denser traffic compared to nighttime, exhibited higher concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5. Conversely, NO2 concentration levels displayed two peaks associated with traffic volume, and relatively elevated nocturnal values compared with midday due to atmospheric vertical stability during the nighttime phase. The analysis of weather‐type impacts revealed that during unstable weather conditions, elevated particle concentrations stemmed from dust resuspension from the ground and long‐range transport. Maximum NO2 concentrations were observed during stable weather conditions, whereas minimum concentrations occurred during unstable weather.

Keywords

• air quality
• fixed stations
• GIS
• spatiotemporal distribution
• statistics
• urban forms