Analysis of airborne fine particulate matter in Athens, Greece

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5822644

Valaoras, G

A study of fine aerosol (diameter < 3/5 ..mu..m) was made in Athens, Greece during the summer of 1982 and the winter of 1982-83. Fine particulate matter was collected on Teflon filters and analyzed at Oregon Graduate Center for 21 chemical elements by X-ray fluorescence. Total particulate matter was simultaneously collected on glass or quartz fiber filters and analyzed at Oregon Graduate Center for organic, elemental and carbonate carbon using a thermo-optical method. Source contributions to the measured fine aerosol mass were estimated from tracers and chemical element balances, based on source characteristics derived through a combination of several statistical techniques including factor analysis and multiple regression analysis. The three major sources identified were motor vehicles, crustal material, and industries. Summer fine aerosol was similarly apportioned among these three sources. More organic carbon was observed in the summer samples as well as different relative source contributions which reflected pollution control strategies in effect during June, 1982. Much of the organic and elemental carbon was associated with motor vehicles, as in the winter samples. Although the principles of receptor analysis were successfully applied to the Athens study, the author found that much of the literature on source characteristics was inapplicable to the Greek context. This may have implications for other foreign cities (particularly developing country capitals) whose air pollution conditions are similar to those found in Athens, Greece.

• Research Organization: Washington Univ., St. Louis, MO (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5822644
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COLLOIDS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DISPERSIONS
EASTERN EUROPE
EUROPE
GREECE
MATHEMATICS
PARTICLE SIZE
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
REGRESSION ANALYSIS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SIZE
SOLS
STATISTICS
VARIATIONS