Comparative Study Regarding Atmospheric SO2 Content in Rovinari and Turceni Areas
The goal of this research study is to compare the air quality of two urban locations from Targu-Jiu County namely Rovinari and Turceni. Measurements of SO2 content with automatic analysers were used as a criterion to asssess the air quality. Rovinari and Turceni areas were chosen for this study due to the fact that there are located two thermal power plants considered high stationary sources with an important contribution to regional and global pollution by sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust. Sustainable development of fossil fuel power plants cannot be done without the use of technology to limit or eliminate environmental pollution. Studies regarding determination of SO2 content in the monitored areas were performed from January to December 2014. By interpreting the results obtained it can be concluded that the concentrations of sulfur dioxide in the ambient air are below the limit value set in legislation. This is mainly due to the developing of the programs for the progressive reduction of annual emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust which was set up by operators of thermal power plants in order to comply with emission limit values. The high level of SO2 concentration in cold season is attributed to intensifying the burning of fossil fuels for household activities.