Wintertime spatio-temporal variation of ultrafine particles in a Belgian city.
Simultaneous measurements of ultrafine particles (UFPs) were carried out at four sampling locations situated within a 1 km(2) grid area in a Belgian city, Borgerhout (Antwerp). All sampling sites had different orientation and height of buildings and dissimilar levels of anthropogenic activities (mainly traffic volume). The aims were to investigate: (i) the spatio-temporal variation of UFP within the area, (ii) the effect of wind direction with respect to the volume of traffic on UFP levels, and (iii) the spatial representativeness of the official monitoring station situated in the study area. All sampling sites followed similar diurnal patterns of UFP variation, but effects of local traffic emissions were evident. Wind direction also had a profound influence on UFP concentrations at certain sites. The results indicated a clear influence of local weather conditions and the more dominant effect of traffic volumes. Our analysis indicated that the regional air quality monitoring station represented the other sampling sites in the study area reasonably well; temporal patterns were found to be comparable though the absolute average concentrations showed differences of up to 35%.
VITO, Flemish Institute for Technological Research Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium.
Vinit K
VK
Mishra
Prashant
P
Kumar
Martine
M
Van Poppel
Nico
N
Bleux
Evelien
E
Frijns
Matteo
M
Reggente
Patrick
P
Berghmans
Luc
L
Int Panis
Roeland
R
Samson
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D001530:Belgium; D002947:Cities; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis; D014887:Weather; D014919:Wind
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D001335:Vehicle Emissions