Effect of meteorological parameters on fine and coarse particulate matter mass concentration in a coal-mining area in Zonguldak, Turkey.
In this work, the effect of meteorological parameters and local topography on mass concentrations of fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5-10) particles and their seasonal behavior was investigated. A total of 236 pairs of samplers were collected using an Anderson Dichotomous sampler between December 2004 and October 2005. The average mass concentrations of PM2.5, PM2.5-10, and particulate matter less than 10 microm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) were found to be 29.38, 23.85, and 53.23 microg/m3, respectively. The concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were found to be higher in heating seasons (December to May) than in summer. The increase of relative humidity, cloudiness, and lower temperature was found to be highly related to the increase of particulate matter (PM) episodic events. During non-rainy days, the episodic events for PM2.5 and PM10 were increased by 30 and 10.7%, respectively. This is a result of the extensive use of fuel during winter for heating purposes and also because of stagnant air masses formed because of low temperature and low wind speed over the study area.
Tecer
Lokman Hakan
LH
Department of Environmental Engineering, Balikesir University, Balikesir, Turkey. lhtecer@balikesir.edu.tr
Süren
Pinar
P
Alagha
Omar
O
Karaca
Ferhat
F
Tuncel
Gürdal
G
D000392:Air Movements; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D000397:Air Pollution; D003032:Coal Mining; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors; D014421:Turkey; D014887:Weather
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter