Atmospheric Dispersion of PM10 in an Urban Area

Abstract

One way of monitoring the atmospheric pollution is to estimate anthropogenic emissions. This paper presents a study of PM10 emissions in a city SE of Romania (Braila) for the period 2009-2012. PM10 emissions decrease from 304.75 t in 2009 to 78.01 t in 2012. Using data from the Environmental Protection Agency Braila and the METI-LIS dispersion model, four maps were produced in order to estimate the spatial distribution of PM10 emission in each year. Results of dispersion models show that the air quality can change abruptly between points at few meters away. Expectedly, PM10 emissions increase towards the centre of the city centre, are generally higher in the vicinity of busy streets and roads.

Keywords

• PM10
• atmospheric pollution
• long-term trends.