concentration level of PM10 in southern Poland (Katowice, Krakow, and Rzeszów) during the year 2018

Abstract

Human health and food quality are greatly affected by the state of the ambient air. In the European Union, Poland is considered as a country that has the most polluted air. The level of PM10 concentration exceeds the EU limit value in almost all the areas of Poland, but higher concentrations are registered in the southern regions, which are considered as the coal heartlands. Katowice, Kraków, and Rzeszów are three big cities in the southern part of Poland and are surrounded by coal mining industries. High PM10 concentrations are usually registered in these three cities, especially in the winter period. In 2018, the peak PM10 daily concentration occurred in the three cities at the same period (04/03/2018 in Rzeszów, 05/03/2018 in Kraków, and 05/03/2018 in Katowice). The aim was to identify the effect of each of the 8 coal mines that exist in Poland on the level PM10 concentration for the first week and March where the highest daily PM10 concentration for the year 2018 was registered. Using HYSPLIT Frequency analysis, the results showed that 100% of the particles coming from Bełchatów, Bolesław Śmiały, Halemba, Jas-Mos, Pniówek and Marcel Coal Mines hit Katowice region, and 10% from Bogdanka. While for Kraków, it was affected by 100% of the particles that are originated from Bolesław Śmiały, Pniówek, Halemba, and Jas-Mos Coal Mines and 10% Bogdanka, Bełchatów, and Marcel Coal Mines. Moreover, Rzeszów was the least affected city by the coal mines, 10% of the particles coming from Bogdanka, Bełchatów, Jas-Mos and Marcel, Halemba, and Pniówek Coal Mines attributed to high PM10 concentration during the first week of March 2018. Katowice and Kraków are more affected by the coal mines industry, Particulate Matter particles originating from the coal mines sites contribute to the high level of PM10 concentration.