Abstract
Fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) is highly variable in space and time. In this study, the dynamics of PM2.5 concentrations were mapped at high spatio-temporal resolutions using bicycle-based, mobile measures on a university campus. Significant diurnal and daily variations were revealed over the two-week survey, with the PM2.5 concentration peaking during the evening rush hours. A range of predictor variables that have been proven useful in estimating the pollution level was derived from Geographic Information System, high-resolution airborne images, and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) datasets. Considering the complex interplay among landscape, wind, and air pollution, variables influencing the PM2.5 dynamics were quantified under a new wind wedge-based system that incorporates wind effects. Panel data analysis models identified eight natural and built environment variables as the most significant determinants of local-scale air quality (including four meteorological factors, distance to major roads, vegetation footprint, and building and vegetation height). The higher significance level of variables calculated using the wind wedge system as compared to the conventional circular buffer highlights the importance of incorporating the relative position of emission sources and receptors in modeling.
Highlights
Urban air pollution has surfaced as a significant global environmental health concern because 55% of the world’s population lives in urban areas [4], and more than 80% of urban dwellers live in areas with the air quality levels exceeding World Health Organization guideline limits [5]
Increasing empirical evidence of localized pollution patterns has led to a growing interest in assessing air pollution at the intra-urban scale in many disciplines [12,13,14,15,16,17,18]
The University of North Texas (UNT) campus is in very close proximity to Interstate 35 (I-35), and the higher traffic volume on local roads due to evening classes can be another reason for this increase
Summary
Fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5 ) is a mixture of extremely small particles with adverse consequences for human health and the environment [1,2,3]. The spatio-temporal patterns of PM2.5 are highly variable within cities [6,7], because the formation and dispersion of PM2.5 involve complex physical and chemical processes resulting from human–atmosphere–biosphere interactions [8], and urban ecosystems manifest the highest degree of heterogeneity and uncertainty in these interactions [9]. PM2.5 is highly concentrated along and near arterial roads [10], and particle pollutants can vary five to eightfold within an individual city block [7,11]. Public Health 2020, 17, 4914; doi:10.3390/ijerph17144914 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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More From: International journal of environmental research and public health
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