Tackling Air Pollution in Krakow

Abstract

Data used in order to determine the level of pollutants present in the air in Krakow came from three air quality monitoring stations located in Bulwarowa street, Bujaka street and Krasińskiego avenue. Based on these data, an analysis was performed concerning air quality in Krakow in 2010-2016. Also, a correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relation between air quality parameters and meteorological parameters, such as: wind, precipitation, temperature. An analysis of the results obtained showed that two factors are critical for the variability of air pollution in Krakow. The first of them is low-stack emissions from coal stoves and boilers. The other factor is the type of atmospheric circulation. It has been determined that the worst air quality occurs in the heating season as the prevailing circulation is anticyclonic (high-pressure) characterised by low temperature, lack or small amount of precipitation, weak wind and thermal inversion. The paper presents preventive measures aimed at reducing the amount of pollutants in Krakow. It has been found that in order to reduce the level of air pollution in Krakow, especially in the heating season, it is necessary to intensify operations aimed at eliminating coal and wood stoves and boilers.