Investigation of the correlation dependence between SO2 emission concentration and meteorological parameters: Case study—Bor (Serbia)

Abstract

This paper presents the investigation of the air-pollution management possibility in Bor (Serbia) using statistical analyses of the correlation dependence of SO2 pollution concentration and meteorological parameters. This kind of approach allows data to determine the shape of time trends; models serial correlation and dependence on covariance; and provides statistical analyses of data. Air quality control in the area of Bor is measured at four monitoring stations: City park; Institute of Mining and Metallurgy; Jugopetrol oil logistic centre and Brezonik suburb. There is also a meteorological station near the aforementioned institute that measures temperature; air humidity; atmosphere pressure; wind speed and direction. The results received from all monitoring stations are processed by the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy in Bor. The data from the reported documents were used for statistical analyses, for determining the correlation between SO2 emission concentration and meteorological parameters. The source of SO2 emissions is the local copper smelter, built within the town of Bor from 1961–1963. However, the disposition of the pollutant concentration is influenced by meteorological parameters (air humidity, atmosphere pressure, speed and wind direction). The successful application of these statistical analyses in this paper points to a possibility of its usage in air pollution studies.