Variations in the atmospheric pollutant immission (2009–2015) field near a large lignite-fired power plant (in Europe/Poland)

Abstract

AbstractEmissions from the energy sector are one of the causes of poor air quality. The status of air pollution caused by the operation of large-size lignite-fired power plants was analyzed (in the years 2009–2015). Emission and immission data from a monitoring station located near a power plant were analyzed (in Europe/Poland in eastern Wielkopolska). The monitoring station conducts continuous measurements of immission concentrations of the following pollutants: PM10, sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides NOx (separately and as the sum of NO and NO2), and ozone (O3) recording at the same time with meteorological parameters such as air temperature, relative air humidity, wind speed, and direction. The dependence of concentrations of selected pollutants on temperature at monitoring point was analyzed. The recorded concentrations were compared with values calculated as a result of modeling of pollutants dispersion in the atmosphere.