Application of PM10′s Statistical Distribution to Air Quality Management—A Case Study in Central Greece

Papanastasiou, Dimitris K.; Melas, Dimitris

Application of PM10′s Statistical Distribution to Air Quality Management—A Case Study in Central Greece

2010

Papanastasiou, Dimitris K. | Melas, Dimitris

Ambient aerosol concentrations have been implicated in human health effects, in visibility reduction in urban and regional areas, in acid deposition and in perturbing the Earth’s radiation balance. The main concern of the air quality managers is to achieve compliance to the established air quality standards (AQS). As AQS are exceeded in numerous sites worldwide, it is essential to reduce the emissions. Having decided which statistical distribution fits well to the PM10 parent distribution, it is feasible to estimate the reduction in emissions that is required in order to meet AQS. In this study, it is verified that the PM10 concentration distribution can be adequately simulated by lognormal distribution, a conclusion drawn by the calculation of several statistical indexes. The study area is the city of Volos in central Greece, which is experiencing an unpleasant situation concerning the levels of PM10 pollution. The probability density function of lognormal distribution is capable to predict the number of days when the European Union (EU) AQS for PM10 concentration are exceeded in Volos area. Furthermore, the minimum reduction in current emission sources of PM10 required in order to meet the air quality regulations that are established by the EU is calculated for the study area and is found to be ~33%. The results could be utilized as reference for air pollution control strategy.

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