The Characteristics of PM2.5 and PM10 and Elemental Carbon Air Pollution in Sevastopol, Crimean Peninsula

Abstract

In most cities of the world, air pollution reaches critical levels. The air masses circulating over the Crimean Peninsula bring a significant amount of mineral dust, which contains soil particles, emissions from industrial enterprises, gases, etc. The purpose of this research is to study the processes and the factors influencing atmospheric pollution in Sevastopol (Crimea). Air pollutant concentration data, including elemental carbon, nutrients (inorganic fixed nitrogen, inorganic fixed phosphorus and silicon), PM10, and PM2.5, were collected during this research. Samples were collected at the station that is located at a distance from sources of pollution (background station). Our study has shown that even at the background site the daily-averaged concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 particles in the atmosphere of Sevastopol reach and even exceed the maximum permissible concentrations in the case of dust transported from deserts. Values of the daily-averaged concentrations of microparticles have exceeded the European maximum permissible concentration (MPC) values in 17 cases for PM2.5 particles and in 6 cases for PM10. The impact of both local sources and long-distance atmospheric transport depends on weather conditions. Concentrations of elemental carbon in air samples have never exceeded the maximum allowed by regulations concentration limits during our research. However, the elemental carbon concentration in air samples collected near highways with a traffic intensity of approximately 500–1000 cars per hour has exceeded the background values by 30–50 times.