Application and evaluation of AERMOD on the assessment of particulate matter pollution caused by industrial activities in the Greater Thessaloniki area

• Published in: Environmental technology Vol. 32; no. 6; pp. 593 - 608
• Main Authors: Kakosimos, K.E., Assael, M.J., Katsarou, A.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01.04.2011; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: AERMOD; Air pollution; Applied sciences; Assessments; atmospheric dispersion; Atmospherics; Cities; Dispersions; Emission; Emissions; Environmental regulations; Exact sciences and technology; Geography; Greece; Industrial engineering; Industrial plant emissions; Industrial plants; Industry; Manufacturing engineering; Models, Statistical; particulate matter; Particulate Matter - analysis; Pollution; Pollution abatement; Seasons; Studies; Thessaloniki; Weather; Greece; British Isles; Greece, Kentriki Makedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic, Thessaloniki; Background concentration; Atmospheric condition; Thessaloniki; Emission content; AERMOD; Urban area; industry; Pollutant emission; Modeling; Coarse particle; particulate matter; Health and environment; Surveillance; Pollution source; Aerosols; Air pollution; Atmospheric dispersion; Public health
• ISSN: 0959-3330; 1479-487X
• DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2010.506491

Industrial activities are sources of high emission rates of particulate matter. The existence of many such industrial plants close to a densely populated area can have a severe effect on human health. The effects can be even worse when these emissions are added to existing background concentration levels. This study deals with the assessment of the primary particulate matter pollution caused by industrial activities close to the city of Thessaloniki in Greece. An atmospheric dispersion and regulatory model was employed, i.e. AERMOD from the US Environmental Pollution Agency. A new PM 10 emission sources inventory was prepared for the main industrial plants of the area and the annual and monthly average concentrations from 2003 to 2007 were calculated. The results from AERMOD were validated against data from available monitoring stations and showed reasonably good agreement. It was estimated that industry contributes approximately 30% of primary PM 10 on the western suburbs of the city and about 7% in the city centre. The effect of the wind direction was also studied and it was illustrated that the frequent southwest winds present higher concentration levels than the strong north ones.