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Evaluation of PM Chemical Composition in Thessaloniki, Greece Based on Air Quality Simulations

Author

Listed:
  • Dimitrios Theodoros Tsiaousidis

    (Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Natalia Liora

    (Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Serafim Kontos

    (Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Anastasia Poupkou

    (Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology, Academy of Athens, Solonos 84, 10680 Athens, Greece)

  • Dimitris Akritidis

    (Department of Meteorology and Climatology, School of Geology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
    Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany)

  • Dimitrios Melas

    (Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

Abstract

The average PM10 daily levels over the urban area of Thessaloniki, Greece, usually exceed the air quality limits and therefore the improved PM chemical composition and air quality modeling results that will facilitate the design of the most appropriate mitigation measures (e.g., limitations in wood combustion for heating purposes) are essential. The air quality modeling system WRF-CAMx was applied over a 2 × 2 km 2 horizontal resolution grid covering the greater area of Thessaloniki for the year 2015, when Greece was still confronting the consequences of the financial crisis. The output hourly surface concentrations of twelve PM species at three sites of different environmental type characterization in the city of Thessaloniki were temporally and spatially analyzed. Carbonaceous aerosols (organic and elemental) are the major contributor to total PM10 levels during winter representing a 35–40% share. During summer, mineral aerosols (excluding dust) distribute by up to 48% to total PM10 levels, being the major contributor attributed to road traffic. PM species, during winter, increase in the morning and in the afternoon mainly due to road transport and residential heating, respectively, in addition with the unfavorable meteorological conditions. An underestimation of the primary organic carbon aerosol levels during winter is identified. The application of the modeling system using a different speciation profile for the fine particles emissions from residential heating based on observational data instead of the CAMS emissions profile revealed an improvement in the simulated OC/EC values for which a 50% increase was identified compared to the base run.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimitrios Theodoros Tsiaousidis & Natalia Liora & Serafim Kontos & Anastasia Poupkou & Dimitris Akritidis & Dimitrios Melas, 2023. "Evaluation of PM Chemical Composition in Thessaloniki, Greece Based on Air Quality Simulations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:13:p:10034-:d:1178765
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Athena Progiou & Natalia Liora & Ioannis Sebos & Christina Chatzimichail & Dimitrios Melas, 2023. "Measures and Policies for Reducing PM Exceedances through the Use of Air Quality Modeling: The Case of Thessaloniki, Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-22, January.
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