THE ANTHROPOGENIC AIR POLLUTION SOURCE IDENTIFICATION IN URBAN AREAS USING SNOW SAMPLING

Abstract

The anthropogenic sources of air pollution such as transport, energetics, household heating and industry generate different trace element footprint. The urban planning is one of tool to reduce air pollution with trace elements.
The aim of this study is to identify air pollution sources in Jelgava city using trace elements. The snow sampling were collected during January and February 2017. The January snow samples characterise average Jelgava city air pollution. However, February characterises intensive tourism impact on total air quality of Jelgava city.
The snow samples were analysed using inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP-OES).
The data analysis consists of three stages. First, data verification and development of waste burning; burning of oil and fossil materials; wastewater treatment and utilisation of sewage sludge; transport; metal industry and fireworks typical pollution trace element data sets. Second, the cluster analysis of each data set, by developing three groups of pollution level for each pollution source. Third the results of clusters were analysed using GIS, and the areas with different air pollution risks were identified.
The results show strong evidence of transport and household impact on air quality.

Keywords: anthropogenic air pollution; inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP-OES).     

Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017.180