Search

Particulate air pollution in cities is caused by a variety of sources. One of the less-studied contributors is wind-induced particle resuspension. As the wind speed increases, particles are removed from surfaces. These particles cause an increase in the total concentration in the air. It is known that particles of 10-2.5 μm in size can be resuspended (PM10-2,5). Modern emission monitoring in cities also allows the monitoring of fine particles of 10, 2.5 and 1 μm in size. The size fractions can then be sorted into PM10-2,5, PM2,5-1 and PM1. When breathed in, particles of different sizes cause various serious health risks. This paper focuses on the identification of the resuspension process of different particle size fractions by a data processing method. Data measured by automatic emission monitoring are used. It is confirmed that the concentration increase can be dominated by the fraction PM10-2,5. However, a concentration increase of fractions PM2,5-1 and PM1 is also evident with increasing wind speed. Although the increase in the PM1 fraction is smaller than PM10-2,5, it is more severe due to the respiratory deposition dose. The resuspension of particles of different fractions has different behaviours during the year. PM10-2,5 particles are dominantly resuspended in the summer months. In winter, on the other hand, the proportion of PM2.5-1 and PM1 particles increases, which may be related to the heating season

Air pollution caused by particulate matter (PM) is a current problem in many cities. With the introduction of strict emission limits and electric cars, lower particle production is expected in the future. However, there are sources of particles that cannot be easily influenced. These include resuspension, where particles deposited on surfaces re-enter the air, causing pollution multiple times. Resuspension can account for up to 18% of the total emissions in some cases. The present paper focuses on the use of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools to describe the flow in a street canyon where resuspension by wind occurs. Based on the calculated flow, a resuspension model is applied to see where resuspension occurs and how far the particles can travel. The shear stresses on the surfaces and the character of the flow field in the boundary layer are evaluated. Different building configurations and flow parameters are tested using a simple 2D model. The model makes it possible to see in which parts of the street canyon resuspension can occur. It shows that the particles leave the street canyon only from the surfaces where the conditions are suitable for resuspension. These particles then enter the mainstream. However, most of the particles stay in the canyon, which can cause resuspension to pollute the air repeatedly. This effect can have a severe impact on human health. The total dispersion of particles in the urban environment is evaluated. The results may be useful for cities that clean the streets, as it is clear which areas will benefit most from the cleaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban air quality assessment in regard to biogenic emissions such as airborne pollen grains (PGs) is indispensable in the urban environment which significantly affects human health, climates, ecosystems, and energy production. Dispersion and deposition of PGs because of resuspension events (ReSE) are investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The mechanisms in PGs movement are achieved through the Lagrangian formulation-based discrete-phase model (DPM). The observed pollen grains distribution pattern is highly spatially dependent on heterogeneous urban obstacles as it induces modified characteristics of the wind flow field. Wind-urban structure interplays in PGs concentration variation. The simulated results identify the pollen hot-spot zones, where vortical flow features and low wind speed dominate. This approach offers a detailed understanding of the dispersion patterns of airborne PGs in urban environments because of ReSE with high resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]