When using air pollution dispersion models, it is of vital importance to know whether they are realistic and the results are consistent with the actual state, or we only get “pretty pictures” which are not even statistically consistent with reality. Because model validation is a complex problem mainly due to the 3D results, and because the estimators used up until now only tell us about the individual elements of consistency with measurements, we have added a new validation method especially suitable for determining the locational and temporal accuracy of modelled concentrations over complex terrain.
COBISS.SI-ID: 25031463
PM10 emissions from domestic heating systems are an important issue throughout Slovenia, as well as in the target region of the KOoreg project, that is the Zasavje region. A reliable estimation of PM10 emissions from domestic heating systems is one of the key objectives of the regional modelling of air pollution. The model estimation for this type of emission is predominantly carried out by employing methods based on the sales of energy sources. However, these types of methods are not used in the Zasavje region, because it is common knowledge that most wood is gathered in the forests or purchased from farmers without being recorded. Therefore, we used an iterative methodology of determining emissions, modelling and establishing an agreement between PM10 air emission levels. For this purpose, we used data from the automatic air quality measurement stations located in Prapretno above Hrastnik. We then identified suitable methodological situations, where there were no other sources of PM10 emissions present, except domestic heating systems. The method provided applicable results and showed that emissions in Zasavje that had been estimated so far were substantially underestimated.
COBISS.SI-ID: 25191207
For several years now, air quality measuring stations in the Zasavje region, as well as in other parts of Slovenia, have been showing an extensive number of exceeded daily limit values on an annual basis. Since we are facing the threat of court action being raised in Brussels, each contribution to the reduction of such events (exceedance) is very important. For several years now, most measuring stations throughout Slovenia have been showing exceeded limit values during the New Year’s holiday season resulting from the mass use of fireworks. Therefore, a detailed modelling of the fireworks displays held on New Years Eve, as well as an estimation of private fireworks displays, was carried out based on data from the station located in Zagorje ob Savi, which was pronounced an indisputable “winner” during the holidays in 2010/2011, thus showing the importance of its influence on PM10 concentration levels. The article also outlines other damaging impacts on health caused by the content of these emissions and noise, and discusses the related regulations. The study is also of scientific importance, because there is a measuring station set up for validation purposes in the very vicinity of these fireworks. In addition, the study is also important for raising awareness among the public
COBISS.SI-ID: 25191463