NDLI: Influence of local and regional Mediterranean meteorology on $SO_{2}$ ground-level concentrations in SE Spain

Content Provider	World Health Organization (WHO)-Global Index Medicus
Author	Santacatalina, Milagros Carratalá, Adoración Mantilla, Enrique
Spatial Coverage	Spain
Description	Country affiliation: Spain Author Affiliation: Santacatalina M ( Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alicante, P O Box 99, 03080 Alicante, Spain. milagros.santacatalina@ua.es)
Abstract	This work presents the results of a 4-year study on sulfur dioxide $(SO_{2})$ ground-level concentrations in an area of southeastern Spain, the L'Alacantí region, where the cement industry is important and coke use extends to other industries as well. The main source of $SO_{2}$ emissions in the area was found to be a the Lepold cement plant (one of the two cement plants in the area). The high levels of $SO_{2}$ probably extend back to 1920 when this plant began operations. Both local and Mediterranean-scale meteorological processes influence the $SO_{2}$ ground-level concentration and together explain the dispersion dynamics of this pollutant. The location and topography of the study zone result in NW Atlantic advections and E-SE sea breezes being the dominant atmospheric circulation patterns in the area. Under stable meteorological conditions, minor local circulations are also relevant to the $SO_{2}$ concentration levels. The high frequency of local circulations determines a concentration pattern that changes during the day, with impacts occurring preferentially in a W-NW direction from the source at midday (sea breeze and strong thermal mixture), and in a SE direction at night. This causes the $SO_{2}$ concentrations to present well-defined diurnal cycles with well-differentiated shapes depending on the location of the sampling station relative to the source. The dependence of $SO_{2}$ 10 min levels on the wind origin and speed throughout the day has been evaluated by studying statistical parameters including P95, P50 and arithmetic mean. Exceedances occur under specific dispersion conditions at distances less than 1 km from the source. However, the source is traceable at larger distances and the levels are higher than typical urban ones. P95 was used as an estimator of the occurrence of larger levels or impacts. Leeward of NW winds and the source, at night and in early morning, P95 levels are comprised between 30 and 55 µg $m^{−3}.$ In contrast, with SE winds and at midday, P95 levels stay at 17 µg $m^{−3}.$ The same P95 was obtained for winds lower than 5 m $s^{−1},$ which represent 89% of the winds in the area. However, stronger winds can have P95 levels above 125 µg $m^{−3}.$
File Format	HTM / HTML
ISSN	14640325
Issue Number	6
Volume Number	13
e-ISSN	14640333
Journal	Journal of Environmental Monitoring
Language	English
Publisher	Royal Society of Chemistry
Publisher Date	2011-06-01
Publisher Place	Great Britain (UK)
Access Restriction	Subscribed
Subject Keyword	Discipline Environmental Health Air Pollutants Analysis Atmosphere Chemistry Sulfur Dioxide Weather Air Pollution Statistics & Numerical Data Environmental Monitoring Meteorology Spain Journal Article Research Support, Non-u.s. Gov't
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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