Specific biomass burning tracers in air pollution in Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Biomass burning is considered a renewable energy source whose household usage is rapidly increasing throughout Europe, largely encouraged by the rising cost of other energy sources. With all the advantages that characterize such an energy source, there are several disadvantages mostly from the air quality standpoint, and consequently with regard to the influence it may have on human health and climate change. Considering the side effects of air pollution, it is important to identify the composition and sources of air pollutants precisely. This study investigated the presence of biomass combustion-specific tracers in the air of Zagreb, Croatia, a city affected by increased air pollution mostly during wintertime. Biomass burning markers in terms of anhydrosugars, namely levoglucosan, mannosan, and galactosan were monitored in particulate matter PM10. A sampling of PM10 particulate matter was conducted in parallel at measuring stations in the northern and southern part of the city during 30 days in each season in 2020. The results showed a significant seasonal difference in PM10 and anhydrosugar levels at both measuring stations with the same seasonal trend decreasing as follows: winter, autumn, spring, summer. Both PM10 and anhydrosugar concentrations were higher in the southern compared to the northern station. Average winter PM10 levels were 58 μg m−3 at the southern and 51 μg m−3 at the northern station, while average levoglucosan levels were 3.68 and 1.64 μg m−3 at the southern and northern stations, respectively. An average levoglucosan/PM10 contribution of 6.3 % was determined at the southern, and 3.2 % at the northern measuring station. The differences in contribution can be explained by areas more populated by households using biomass for residential heating, the dominant wind direction in the area, and influences from other districts, including long- or close-range transport. Linear regression indicated a weak correlation (R2 = 0.32) of anhydrosugars between the stations.