Particulate matter air pollution in the Republic of Slovenia and its national spatial emissions release

Abstract

In this work, an impact of particulate matter (PM) on air pollution and its emissions released is investigated. Concentration levels of PM10 and PM2.5 in the Republic of Slovenia (RS) were analyzed on daily, weekly, monthly, quartile, and annual data and then compared. The study was conducted from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 at two monitoring stations, so-called urban traffic and urban industrial. Obtained results showed that the highest concentrations of PM in air were during the cold months of the year when the temperatures are lower (< 6%). Results from heating seasons (from October 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020 and from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021) showed the highest concentration levels of PM10 between 9:00 and 14:00 and between 18:00 and 22:00, with highest concentrations recorded during the winter months (January and February). Additionally, emission building inventory was built based on PM10 and PM2.5 emissions released. The study includes yearly spatial building emissions release model considering currently installed high PM emitted stoves. The building model for the Republic of Slovenia has been developed by using 500 x 500 m model grid. Obtained results showed that changing currently low efficient appliance with advanced appliance would result in significant lower PM emissions released from building sector.

Keywords

• air pollution
• particulate matter
• heating season
• emission release
• slovenia