LETTERS TO EDITORS
Study of Particulate Matter Pollution
in Warsaw Area
G. Majewski, W. Przewoźniczuk
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Division of Meteorology and Climatology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences,
Nowoursynowska 166, 02-776 Warszawa, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2009;18(2):293-300
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
An attempt was undertaken in this work to characterize the imission field of the PM10 particulate matter
in the Warsaw area, based on measurements coming from 11 stations located in area, and from 4 stations
outside Warsaw belonging to the Voivodship Inspectorate of Environmental Protection in Warsaw. The analysis
concerns the 2004-06 period. Basic descriptive statistics of the concentration were calculated, the daily (24
hrs) averaged courses were studied in the whole experimental period for the cold (Oct.-March) and warm
(April-Sept.) seasons, rose diagrams of particulate matter concentration percentages and of pollution plume
rate percentages were made, and an effort to visualize the spatial distribution of particulate matter over the
Warsaw area was made, on the basis of PM10 particulate matter concentration values registered at the stations
mentioned above. As a result of the executed analyses it was found that the existing measurement network of
PM10 is insufficient for a precise recognition of the imission field. It is necessary not only to extend the network
of monitoring stations, especially in the Warsaw districts located on the right bank of the Vistula River,
but also to include all vital meteorological parameters and particulate matter qualitative analyses into the range
of measurements. In relationship to a high level of PM10 concentrations occurring in the area of the whole
city, the authors propose publicizing measurement results. The analysis of pollution plumes, which was possible
only for two monitoring stations located in the northern and southern parts of the city, enabled the authors
to focus on substantial causes for increased PM10 concentration in that regions.