Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine, by use PCA analysis, the impact of meteorological elements on the PM10 concentration on the example of the mountain valley. Daily values of selected meteorological elements, measured during a ten-year period in the spring, summer, autumn and winter, obtained from the meteorological station in Nowy Sącz, were adopted as variables explaining PM10 concentration. The level of PM10 was significantly affected by the maximum, minimum and average temperature in autumn, winter and spring. In summer the average and maximum temperature was significant. In winter, the first principle component mainly consisted of the combination of the average and maximum wind speed. The second principal component in spring, summer and autumn was the combination of the wind speed (average and maximum), but in winter humidity and atmospheric pressure seemed to be significant. The third principal component, in terms of strength of impact, was humidity in spring, the combination of humidity and minimum temperature in summer, and precipitation in autumn. In winter, the highest PM10 concentrations were observed during the non-directional, anticyclonic wedge conditions. Three principal components were distinguished in this situation: temperature (average, maximum and minimum); the combination of humidity and wind speed and precipitation.
Highlights
The problem of air pollution affects Poland, but Europe as a whole [1,2,3]
In the climatic conditions of Poland, the highest level of air pollution with suspended particulate matter is observed in the colder half of the year, in winter [12,13,14]
Research on the impact of meteorological conditions on particulate concentrations in the air has shown a clear relationship between elevated concentrations and specific weather conditions [18,19,20,21,22]
Summary
Harmful to human health are fine particulates, among them PM10, consisting of grains with diameters below 10 μm. Dust with such a small particle size penetrates the upper respiratory tract. The adverse effects of increased particulate concentrations on the environment have been discussed in numerous studies [7,8,9,10,11]. In the climatic conditions of Poland, the highest level of air pollution with suspended particulate matter is observed in the colder half of the year, in winter [12,13,14]. Researchers are increasingly investigating what factors, besides anthropogenic ones, are determinants of air pollution, such as elevated PM10 concentrations. Numerous studies in the literature deal with a comprehensive PM characterization [23,24] and are often aimed at highlighting markers of specific sources such as biomass burning [25,26] and, in particular, from agricultural residues burning such as that mentioned by the authors (puddy-residue burning)
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