Transboundary Air-Pollution Transport in the Czech-Polish Border Region between the Cities of Ostrava and Katowice.
OBJECTIVE
The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) estimated the transboundary transport of air pollution between the Czech Republic and Poland by assessing relationships between weather conditions and air pollution in the area as part of the "Air Quality Information System in the Polish-Czech border of the Silesian and Moravian-Silesian region" project (http://www.air-silesia.eu). Estimation of cross-border transport of pollutants is important for Czech-Polish negotiations and targeted measures for improving air quality.


METHODS
Direct measurement of PM10and sulphur dioxide (SO2) concentrations and the direction and wind speed from measuring stations in the vicinity of the Czech-Polish state border in 2006-2012.


RESULTS
Taking into account all the inaccuracies, simplifications and uncertainties, by which all of the measurements are affected, it is possible to state that the PM10transboundary transport was greater from the direction of Poland to the Czech Republic, rather than the other way around. Nevertheless, the highest share of the overall PM10concentration load was recorded on days with a vaguely estimated airflow direction. This usually included days with changing wind direction or days with a distinct wind change throughout the given day. A changeable wind is most common during low wind speeds. It can be assumed that during such days with an ambiguous daily airflow, the polluted air saturated with sources on both sides of the border moves from one country to the other. Therefore, we could roughly ascribe an equal level of these concentrations to both the Czech and Polish side.


CONCLUSIONS
PM10transboundary transport was higher from Poland to the Czech Republic than from the opposite direction, despite the predominant air flow from the Czech Republic to Poland.
Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Praha, Czech Republic.
Libor
L
Černikovský
Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Praha, Czech Republic.
Blanka
B
Krejčí
Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Praha, Czech Republic.
Zdeněk
Z
Blažek
Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Praha, Czech Republic.
Vladimíra
V
Volná
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D018153:Czech Republic; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis; D011044:Poland; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000032:analysis*; D014887:Weather
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide
Czech-Polish border; Moravian-Silesian region; Silesian Voivodeship; air quality; relationship between meteorology and ambient concentrations; transboundary transport