title: Analysis of the effects of meteorology on aircraft exhaust dispersion and deposition using a Lagrangian particle model.
abstract: The risk of air quality degradation is of considerable concern particularly for those airports that are located near urban areas. The ability to quantitatively predict the effects of air pollutants originated by airport operations is important for assessing air quality and the related impacts on human health. Current emission regulations have focused on local air quality in the proximity of airports. However, an integrated study should consider the effects of meteorological events, at both regional and local level, that can affect the dispersion and the deposition of exhausts. Rigorous scientific studies and extensive experimental data could contribute to the analysis of the impacts of airports expansion plans. This paper is focused on the analysis of the effects of meteorology on aircraft emission for the Marco Polo Airport in Venice. This is the most important international airport in the eastern part of the Po' Valley, one of the most polluted area in Europe. Air pollution is exacerbated by meteorology that is a combination of large and local scale effects that do not allow significant dispersion. Moreover, the airport is located near Venice, a city of noteworthy cultural and architectural relevance, and nearby the lagoon that hosts several areas of outstanding ecological importance at European level (Natura 2000 sites). Dispersion and deposit of the main aircraft exhausts (NOx, HC and CO) have been evaluated by using a Lagrangian particle model. Spatial and temporal aircraft exhaust dispersion has been analyzed for LTO cycle. Aircraft taxiing resulted to be the most impacting aircraft operation especially for the airport working area and its surroundings, however occasionally peaks may be observed even at high altitudes when cruise mode starts. Mixing height can affect concentrations more significantly than the concentrations in the exhausts themselves. An increase of HC and CO concentrations (15-50%) has been observed during specific meteorological events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Informatics and Statistics, University Ca' Foscari Venice, Calle Larga Santa Marta 2137, Dorsoduro, 30123 Venezia, Italy. Electronic address: eliana.pecorari@unive.it.
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pecorari
authors.affiliation: OSMOTECH S.r.l., via Francesco Sforza, 15, 20122 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Informatics and Statistics, University Ca' Foscari Venice, Calle Larga Santa Marta 2137, Dorsoduro, 30123 Venezia, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franceschini
authors.affiliation: SAVE S.p.A., Marco Polo Venice airport viale G. Galilei 30/1, 30173 Tessera-Venezia, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bassano
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, v. Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palmeri
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Informatics and Statistics, University Ca' Foscari Venice, Calle Larga Santa Marta 2137, Dorsoduro, 30123 Venezia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rampazzo
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000401:Aircraft; D059028:Airports; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry; D002947:Cities; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005060:Europe; D055904:Meteorology; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D001335:Vehicle Emissions
keywords: Aircraft exhaust; Airport air quality impact; Dispersion and deposition; Lagrangian particle model; Meteorological impact