Comprehensive analysis of air pollution and the influence of meteorological factors: a case study of adiyaman province

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment 2024-06, Vol.196 (6), p.525, Article 525
• Main Authors: Kara, Yiğitalp, Şevik, Sena Ecem Yakut, Toros, Hüseyin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural practices; Air Pollutants - analysis; Air pollution; Air Pollution - statistics & numerical data; Air quality; Anthropogenic factors; Atmospheric conditions; Atmospheric particulates; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Burning; Cities; City centres; Correlation; Correlation coefficient; Correlation coefficients; Dust transport; Earth and Environmental Science; Earthquakes; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental Monitoring; High pressure; Human influences; Meteorological Concepts; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Outdoor air quality; Particulate matter; Particulate Matter - analysis; Pollutants; Pollution sources; Public health; Seasons; Seismic activity; Sulfur dioxide; Sulfur Dioxide - analysis; Turkey; Urban planning; Wind; Wind speed; Winds
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12649-4

Adıyaman, a city recently affected by an earthquake, is facing significant air pollution challenges due to both anthropogenic activities and natural events. The sources of air pollution have been investigated using meteorological variables. Elevated southerly winds, especially prominent in spring and autumn, significantly contribute to dust transport, leading to a decline in local air quality as detected by the HYSPLIT model. Furthermore, using Suomi-NPP Thermal Anomaly satellite product, it is detected and analyzed for crop burning activities. Agricultural practices, including stubble burning, contribute to the exacerbation of PM 10 pollution during the summer months, particularly when coupled with winds from all directions except the north. In fall and winter months, heating is identified as the primary cause of pollution. The city center located north of the station is the dominant source of pollution throughout all seasons. The study established the connection between air pollutants and meteorological variables. Furthermore, the Spearman correlation coefficients reveal associations between PM 10 and SO 2 , indicating moderate positive correlations under pressure conditions ( r  = 0.35, 0.52). Conversely, a negative correlation is observed with windspeed ( r  = -0.35, -0.50), and temperature also exhibits a negative correlation ( r  = -0.39, -0.54). During atmospheric conditions with high pressure, PM 10 and SO 2 concentrations are respectively 41.2% and 117.2% higher. Furthermore, pollutant concentration levels are 29.2% and 53.3% higher on days with low winds. Last, practical strategies for mitigating air pollution have been thoroughly discussed and proposed. It is imperative that decision-makers engaged in city planning and renovation give careful consideration to the profound impact of air pollution on both public health and the environment, particularly in the aftermath of a recent major earthquake.