scholarly journals Measurement report: Effect of wind shear on PM<sub>10</sub> concentration vertical structure in urban boundary layer in a complex terrain

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Sekuła ◽  
Anita Bokwa ◽  
Jakub Bartyzel ◽  
Bogdan Bochenek ◽  
Łukasz Chmura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Vertical Profile ◽  
Wind Shear ◽  
Transitional Zone ◽  
Model Data ◽  
Profile Modification ◽  
Low Wind Speed ◽  
Clean Air

Abstract. The paper shows wind shear impact on PM10 vertical profiles, in Kraków, southern Poland. The data used consist of background data for two cold seasons (Sep. 2018 to Apr. 2019, and Sep. 2019 to Apr. 2020), and data for several case studies from November 2019 to March 2020. The data is composed of PM10 measurements, model data, and wind speed and direction data. The background model data come from operational forecast results of AROME model. PM10 concentration in the vertical profile was measured with a sightseeing balloon. Significant spatial variability of wind field was found. The case studies represent the conditions with much lower wind speed and a much higher PM10 levels than the seasonal average. The inversions were much more frequent than on average, too. Wind shear turned out to be the most important factor in terms of PM10 vertical profile modification. It is generated due to the relief impact, i.e. the presence of a large valley, blocked on one side with the hills. The analysis of PM10 profiles from all flights allows to distinguish three vertical zones of potential air pollution hazard within the valley (about 100 m deep) and the city of Kraków: 1. up to about 60 m a.g.l. – the zone where during periods of low wind speed, air pollution is potentially the highest and the duration of such high levels is the longest, i.e. the zone with the worst aerosanitary conditions; 2. about 60–100 m a.g.l. – transitional zone where the large decrease of PM10 levels with height is observed; 3. above 100–120 m a.g.l. – the zone where air quality is significantly better than in the zone 1, either due to the increase of the wind speed, or due to the wind direction change and advection of different, clean air masses.

scholarly journals Measurement report: Effect of wind shear on PM<sub>10</sub> concentration vertical structure in the urban boundary layer in a complex terrain

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 12113-12139
Author(s):  
Piotr Sekuła ◽  
Anita Bokwa ◽  
Jakub Bartyzel ◽  
Bogdan Bochenek ◽  
Łukasz Chmura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Vertical Profile ◽  
Wind Shear ◽  
Transitional Zone ◽  
Model Data ◽  
Low Wind Speed ◽  
Clean Air ◽  
Pm10 Level

Abstract. The paper shows wind shear impact on PM10 vertical profiles in Kraków, southern Poland. The data used consist of background data for two cold seasons (September 2018 to April 2019 and September 2019 to April 2020) and data for several case studies from November 2019 to March 2020. The data are composed of PM10 measurements, model data, and wind speed and direction data. The background model data come from operational forecast results of the AROME model. PM10 concentration in the vertical profile was measured with a sightseeing balloon. Significant spatial variability of the wind field was found. The case studies represent the conditions with much lower wind speed and a much higher PM10 level than the seasonal average. The inversions were much more frequent than on average too. Wind shear turned out to be the important factor in terms of PM10 vertical profile modification. It is generated due to the relief impact, i.e. the presence of a large valley, blocked on one side with the hills. The analysis of PM10 profiles from all flights allows us to distinguish three vertical zones of potential air pollution hazards within the valley (about 100 m deep) and the city of Kraków: (1) up to about 60 m a.g.l. – the zone where during periods of low wind speed, air pollution is potentially the highest and the duration of such high levels is the longest, i.e. the zone with the worst aerosanitary conditions; (2) about 60–100 m a.g.l. – transitional zone where the large decrease in PM10 levels with height is observed; (3) above 100–120 m a.g.l. – the zone where air quality is significantly better than in zone 1, either due to the increase in the wind speed or due to the wind direction change and advection of different, clean air masses.

Two mechanisms for accelerated diffusion of COVID-19 outbreaks in regions with high intensity of population and polluting industrialization: the air pollution-to-human and human-to-human transmission dynamics (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Coccia
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Meteorological Condition ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Transmission Dynamics ◽  
Critical Threshold ◽  
Viral Infectivity ◽  
Low Wind Speed

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is viral infection that generates a severe acute respiratory syndrome with serious pneumonia that may result in progressive respiratory failure and death. OBJECTIVE This study has two goals. The first is to explain the main factors determining the diffusion of COVID-19 that is generating a high level of deaths. The second is to suggest a strategy to cope with future epidemic threats with of accelerated viral infectivity in society. METHODS Correlation and regression analyses on on data of N=55 Italian province capitals, and data of infected individuals at as of April 2020. RESULTS The main results are: o The accelerate and vast diffusion of COVID-19 in North Italy has a high association with air pollution. o Hinterland cities have average days of exceeding the limits set for PM10 (particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter) equal to 80 days, and an average number of infected more than 2,000 individuals as of April 1st, 2020, coastal cities have days of exceeding the limits set for PM10 equal to 60 days and have about 700 infected in average. o Cities that average number of 125 days exceeding the limits set for PM10, last year, they have an average number of infected individual higher than 3,200 units, whereas cities having less than 100 days (average number of 48 days) exceeding the limits set for PM10, they have an average number of about 900 infected individuals. o The results reveal that accelerated transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in specific environments is due to two mechanisms given by: air pollution-to-human transmission and human-to-human transmission; in particular, the mechanisms of air pollution-to-human transmission play a critical role rather than human-to-human transmission. o The finding here suggests that to minimize future epidemic similar to COVID-19, the max number of days per year in which cities can exceed the limits set for PM10 or for ozone, considering their meteorological condition, is less than 50 days. After this critical threshold, the analytical output here suggests that environmental inconsistencies because of the combination between air pollution and meteorological conditions (with high moisture%, low wind speed and fog) trigger a take-off of viral infectivity (accelerated epidemic diffusion) with damages for health of population, economy and society. CONCLUSIONS Considering the complex interaction between air pollution, meteorological conditions and biological characteristics of viral infectivity, lessons learned for COVID-19 have to be applied for a proactive socioeconomic strategy to cope with future epidemics, especially an environmental policy based on reduction of air pollution mainly in hinterland zones of countries, having low wind speed, high percentage of moisture and fog that create an environment that can damage immune system of people and foster a fast transmission of viral infectivity similar to the COVID-19. CLINICALTRIAL not applicable

scholarly journals How (Un)sustainable Environments Are Related to the Diffusion of COVID-19: The Relation between Coronavirus Disease 2019, Air Pollution, Wind Resource and Energy

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9709
Author(s):  
Mario Coccia
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
High Wind ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Low Wind Speed ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The pandemic caused by novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is generating a high number of cases and deaths, with negative effects on public health and economic systems. One of the current questions in the contemporary environmental and sustainability debate is how high air pollution and reduced use of renewable energy can affect the diffusion of COVID-19. This study endeavors to explain the relation between days of air pollution, wind resources and energy, and the diffusion of COVID-19 to provide insights into sustainable policy to prevent future epidemics. The statistical analysis here focuses on a case study of Italy, one of the first countries to experience a rapid increase in confirmed cases and deaths. The results reveal two main findings: (1) cities with high wind speed and high wind energy production have a lower number of cases of COVID-19 in the context of a more sustainable environment; (2) cities located in hinterland zones with high air pollution, low wind speed and less wind energy production have a greater number of cases and total deaths. The results presented here suggest that the pandemic caused by novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and future epidemics similar to COVID-19 cannot be solved only with research in medicine but the solution also needs advanced capabilities and technologies for supporting sustainable development based on the reduction of air pollution and increase of production in renewable energy to improve air quality and as a consequence public health.

scholarly journals Two mechanisms for accelerated diffusion of COVID-19 outbreaks in regions with high intensity of population and polluting industrialization: the air pollution-to-human and human-to-human transmission dynamics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Coccia
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Meteorological Condition ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Transmission Dynamics ◽  
List Type ◽  
Viral Infectivity ◽  
Low Wind Speed

AbstractWhat is COVID-19?Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is viral infection that generates a severe acute respiratory syndrome with serious pneumonia that may result in progressive respiratory failure and death.What are the goals of this investigation?This study explains the geo-environmental determinants of the accelerated diffusion of COVID-19 in Italy that is generating a high level of deaths and suggests general lessons learned for a strategy to cope with future epidemics similar to COVID-19 to reduce viral infectivity and negative impacts in economic systems and society.What are the results of this study?The main results are: The accelerate and vast diffusion of COVID-19 in North Italy has a high association with air pollution.Hinterland cities have average days of exceeding the limits set for PM10 (particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter) equal to 80 days, and an average number of infected more than 2,000 individuals as of April 1st, 2020, coastal cities have days of exceeding the limits set for PM10 equal to 60 days and have about 700 infected in average.Cities that average number of 125 days exceeding the limits set for PM10, last year, they have an average number of infected individual higher than 3,200 units, whereas cities having less than 100 days (average number of 48 days) exceeding the limits set for PM10, they have an average number of about 900 infected individuals.The results reveal that accelerated transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in specific environments is due to two mechanisms given by: air pollution-to-human transmission and human-to-human transmission; in particular, the mechanisms of air pollution-to-human transmission play a critical role rather than human-to-human transmission.The finding here suggests that to minimize future epidemic similar to COVID-19, the max number of days per year in which cities can exceed the limits set for PM10 or for ozone, considering their meteorological condition, is less than 50 days. After this critical threshold, the analytical output here suggests that environmental inconsistencies because of the combination between air pollution and meteorological conditions (with high moisture%, low wind speed and fog) trigger a take-off of viral infectivity (accelerated epidemic diffusion) with damages for health of population, economy and society.What is a socioeconomic strategy to prevent future epidemics similar to COVID-19?Considering the complex interaction between air pollution, meteorological conditions and biological characteristics of viral infectivity, lessons learned for COVID-19 have to be applied for a proactive socioeconomic strategy to cope with future epidemics, especially an environmental policy based on reduction of air pollution mainly in hinterland zones of countries, having low wind speed, high percentage of moisture and fog that create an environment that can damage immune system of people and foster a fast transmission of viral infectivity similar to the COVID-19.This study must conclude that a strategy to prevent future epidemics similar to COVID 19 has also to be designed in environmental and sustainability science and not only in terms of biology.

scholarly journals Effects of Air Pollution on COVID-19 and Public Health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Coccia
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Environmental Science ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Atmospheric Stability ◽  
Average Intensity ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Low Wind Speed ◽  
The World

Abstract The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), generate by a novel virus SARS-CoV-2, is rapidly spreading all over the world, generating a high number of deaths. One of the current questions in the field of environmental science is to explain the relationships determining the diffusion of COVID-19 in specific regions of countries. The research here focuses on case study of Italy, one of the countries in the World to experience a rapid increase in confirmed cases and deaths. Results suggest that diffusion of COVID-19 is very high in cities with high air pollution generating severe negative effects on public health o. In particular, results reveal that, among Italian provincial capitals, the number of infected people was higher in cities with more than 100 days per year exceeding limits set for PM10 or ozone, cities located in hinterland zones (i.e. away from the coast), cities having a low average intensity of wind speed and cities with a lower temperature. In hinterland cities (mostly those bordering large urban conurbations) with a high number of days exceeding PM10 and ozone limits, coupled with low wind speed (atmospheric stability), the average number of infected people in April 2020 more than tripled those that had less than 100 days of excessive air pollution. In fact, results show that more than 75% of infected individuals and about 81% of deaths in Italy of COVID-19 are in regions with high air pollution. This study must conclude that a long-run strategy to constrain future epidemics similar to the COVID-19, reducing the negative impact on public health has also to be designed in terms of environmental and sustainability policies and not only in terms of efficient approaches in medicine.

scholarly journals Development of a Line Source Dispersion Model for Gaseous Pollutants by Incorporating Wind Shear near the Ground under Stable Atmospheric Conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Saisantosh Vamshi Harsha Madiraju ◽  
Ashok Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Wind Shear ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Gaseous Pollutants ◽  
Air Pollution Control ◽  
Mobile Sources ◽  
Input Variables

Transportation sources are a major contributor to air pollution in urban areas. The role of air quality modeling is vital in the formulation of air pollution control and management strategies. Many models have appeared in the literature to estimate near-field ground level concentrations from mobile sources moving on a highway. However, current models do not account explicitly for the effect of wind shear (magnitude) near the ground while computing the ground level concentrations near highways from mobile sources. This study presents an analytical model based on the solution of the convective-diffusion equation by incorporating the wind shear near the ground for gaseous pollutants. The model input includes emission rate, wind speed, wind direction, turbulence, and terrain features. The dispersion coefficients are based on the near field parameterization. The sensitivity of the model to compute ground level concentrations for different inputs is presented for three different downwind distances. In general, the model shows Type III sensitivity (i.e., the errors in the input will show a corresponding change in the computed ground level concentrations) for most of the input variables. However, the model equations should be re-examined for three input variables (wind velocity at the reference height and two variables related to the vertical spread of the plume) to make sure that that the model is valid for computing ground level concentrations.

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