The relationship between aviation activities and ultrafine particulate matter concentrations near a mid-sized airport

Abstract

Abstract Aircraft contribute to emissions of ultrafine particulate matter (UFP) and other air pollutants, with corresponding impacts on community-level exposures near active airports. However, it is challenging to isolate the contribution of aircraft from local road traffic and other nearby combustion sources. In this study, we used high-resolution monitoring and flight activity data to quantify contributions from landing and take-off operations (LTO) to UFP concentrations. UFP concentrations were monitored with 1-min resolution at four monitoring sites surrounding T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, RI, in three one-week campaigns across different seasons in 2007 and 2008. Along with pollutant monitoring, wind data were collected and runway-specific LTO data were obtained from airport officials. We developed regression models in which wind speed and direction were included as a nonparametric smooth spatial term using thin-plate splines applied to wind velocity vectors and fitted using linear mixed models. To better pinpoint the timing in the LTO cycle most contributing to elevated concentrations, we used regression models with lag terms for flight activity (ranging from 5 min before to 5 min after the departure or arrival). Results suggest positive associations between UFP concentrations and LTO activities, especially for departures when an aircraft moves near or passes a monitoring site. Departures of jet engine aircrafts on a runway proximate to one of the monitors have a maximal impact 1 min prior to take-off, with median absolute contributions during those minutes of 7400 particles cm−3 (range: 1100–70,000 particles cm−3). Across all observations, our models indicate median (95th, 99th percentile) percent contribution for all LTO activities of 9.8% (54%, 72%) and 6.6% (39%, 55%) for the two sites proximate to the airport's principal runway, and 4.7% (24%, 36%) and 1.8% (22%, 31%) for the remaining two sites. Our analysis illustrates the complexity of aviation impacts on local air quality and allows for quantification of the marginal contribution of LTO activity relative to other nearby sources.