Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 7 Location of the sampling sites with annual measurements of carbonaceous aerosols
studied locations. As expected higher SOC values were found at regional or rural
background locations reaching from up to 90% at Finokalia down to 45% in Athens
and Istanbul. A clear seasonal variability in SOC contribution is observed only in
urban or urban background sites with summer time SOC values being 1.5 times
higher compared to winter. At rural and regional background sites receiving most of
the time processed air masses no such variability can be seen, indicating very fast
organic aerosol processing (within few hours after the emission). By using the OC/
EC values reported at Grivas et al. (2011) paper and the above-mentioned proce-
dure, SOC% contribution for Athens can reach much higher values (up to 70%
during summer) than those reported by Grivas et al. 2011.
6 Concluding Remarks
The Mediterranean Basin has unique characteristics concerning the regional atmo-
spheric circulation, regional climate and also air quality. Air quality in the area is
strongly affected by various sources such as local sources and long-range transport of
African dust or distance anthropogenic pollution sources over the region. Previous
studies have shown that a significant number of PM exceedances registered in urban
centres are associated with regional pollution or natural dust transport. Furthermore,
the Mediterranean Basin is a region highly affected by climatic changes. Even though
the overview of the particulate matter levels during the last decade shows some
improvements that have decreased the exceedances and the human exposure, the
region is characterised by poor air quality.
Although some effort has recently been paid on characterising particulate matter
and quantifying its sources, still further information needs to be gained for the East
