Katarzyna Juda-Rezler

Regional air pollution models for Poland

Abstract Annual mean concentration and deposition of acidifying compounds (SO 2 , NO y , and NH 3 ) in Poland are calculated using two-dimensional Eulerian grid models. The models are compatible with a European air pollution model that operates in the same computational grid but with different grid resolution. The results obtained by the two models are compared and discussed.

Modelling of black carbon statistical distribution and return periods of extreme concentrations

Eight datasets of 1-h?black carbon (BC) concentrations measured in Warsaw agglomeration (Poland), at urban background and sub-urban sites, and in Raciborz, a small town in Upper Silesia district (regional background site) were analyzed to evaluate BC levels, daily profiles and statistical distributions of concentrations in Central-Eastern European region. The observed mean levels ranged from 1483?ng?m-3 in suburban site during summer to 3358?ng?m-3 in regional background site in winter. Observed diurnal patterns were bimodal in the locations dominated by traffic emissions, but unimodal, with elevated evening peak in individually heated residential area. Three theoretical frequency distributions were applied to fit analyzed datasets separately. The lognormal distribution was the most appropriate to represent the middle-range values, while the high concentrations were satisfactorily predicted by the type I two-parameter exponential distribution which was used to estimate the return periods of extreme concentrations for winter months. BC concentrations in Warsaw are higher than in Western European capitals.Regional background BC levels in Upper Silesia district are high, especially during winter.One or two daily peaks are observed depending on the dominating emission source and season.Lognormal distribution presents the best fit to the middle-range BC concentrations.Return periods of extreme BC wintertime concentrations were estimated.

Risk Assessment of Airborne Sulphur Species in Poland

Risk which airborne pollutants cause on the environment is always connected with amounts of the pollutants emitted as well as with environment sensitivity to the pollution. The emissions of air pollutants were substantially reduced during last fourteen years in Poland. However, Poland is still among the countries with the highest emissions of sulphur dioxide. The 1999 emissions amounted 1,719 million tonnes, which represented almost 10% of European emissions. Such significant amounts stem from the unique structure of the energy supply system, which, unlike elsewhere in the world, is largely dominated by coal combustion (65% of primary energy consumption). This results in quite high SO2 and SO4 2- concentrations in the air as well as high total sulphur deposition on ecosystems. Both sulphur species in the air and sulphur deposition may cause harmful adverse effects on human health and the environment.

Analysis of National Verses Long-Range Transport Contribution to Organic and Inorganic Aerosol Load in Selected Location in Poland

The paper investigates PM2.5 levels and composition in 3 different locations in Poland for cold and warm period of 2013. The highest share of SOC and POC in PM2.5 was found in heating season, which was probably due to an increase in the activity of local emission sources of PM, especially biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion in residential sector, while SIA contribution in PM2.5 mass was relatively constant during heating and non-heating period at all 3 sites. During non-heating season air mass back trajectories were grouped into 5 clusters representing mostly westerly flows (50–72 %). During heating season the trajectories were grouped into 6 clusters coming mostly from eastern directions (54–64 %).

Current European AQ Planning at Regional and Local Scale

This chapter provides a review, derived from the extended survey conducted within the APPRAISAL project, of the integrated assessment methodologies used in different countries to design air quality plans and to estimate the effects of emission abatement policy options on human health.

Critical Levels of Sulphur Dioxide in Poland and Their Exceedances

The statistical model based on cluster and regression analyses, were developed for calculating 5th percentile critical levels of sulphur dioxide for Poland. Model formulation, performance and results given in the computational grid representing a part of the EMEP model grid are presented. Current and past sulphur dioxide concentration fields were used for the calculations of critical levels exceedances. The obtained exceedances’ maps show that the threat to the ecosystems in Poland connected with sulphur dioxide air concentrations is declining.

Current Sulphur Dioxide Concentration Levels in Poland—Model Estimates and Comparison to Observations

The numerical two-dimensional Eulerian grid model, supported by readily available input data has been used for assessing the current state of air pollution by sulphur dioxide in Poland. Annual mean concentrations in the air were calculated. The applied computational grid constitutes a part of the EMEP model grid. Model results were verified with observations. Existing monitoring data were analysed from the point of view of data completeness and site representativeness. The 53 stations situated in all of the 16 voivodeships in Poland were chosen for model validation. On the majority of the sites a very good agreement was obtained between the observed and modelled values.