ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Variability of Human-Biometeorological
Conditions in Gdańsk
Jadwiga Nidzgorska-Lencewicz
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Department of Meteorology and Green Areas Management
West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin,
Papieża Pawła VI 3A, 71-459 Szczecin, Poland
Submission date: 2014-04-06
Final revision date: 2014-06-09
Acceptance date: 2014-07-08
Publication date: 2015-02-06
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2015;24(1):215-226
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ABSTRACT
This paper concerns the characterization of temporal and spatial variability of thermal and air quality
conditions within the area of Gdańsk – a port city The classification of thermo-physiological conditions was
done with the use of UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index) and the quality of air was determined with the
use of CAQI (Common Air Quality Index). The analysis was done on the basis of meteorological and concentration
of pollution data from the period of 2005-10 obtained from two automatic stations of the Agency
of Regional Air Quality Monitoring in Gdańsk metropolitan area (ARMAAG). It was found that annually two
UTCI classes occur most frequently in Gdańsk metropolitan area: no thermal stress and moderate cold stress,
wherein in the center of the city (Wrzeszcz station) no thermal stress occurred more frequently and moderate
cold stress in the southwest region of Gdańsk (Jasień station). Favorable thermal conditions prevail in both
regions of the city in the warm half year (April-September): no thermal stress constitutes around 65% of hours
in the city center and 51% on the outskirts. In the cold half year (October-March) cold stress (UTCI <9ºC) is
most frequently recorded in both stations: 95% in Wrzeszcz and 98% in Jasień. The assessment of air quality
conducted with the use of CAQI shows that annually the satisfactory quality of air (very low, low, medium)
which does not pose a threat to humans occurs on average 96.5% in Gdańsk Wrzeszcz and 98.8% in Gdańsk
Jasień. CAQI index classes high and very high corresponding to poor air quality are rarely recorded in Gdańsk
metropolitan area: more frequently in the city center (3.5%) than on the outskirts (1.2%), predominantly in the
cold half year. It was found that high concentration of PM10 was a decisive factor in all cases of recorded poor
air quality.