air pollution analysis in moldova noua waste dump

8
ECOTERRA - Journal of Environmental Research and Protection www.ecoterra-online.ro 2017, Volume 14, Issue 2 70 Air pollution analysis in Moldova Noua waste dump 1 Simona Natalia Raischi, 2 Robert Szép, 1 Cristina Mihaela Balaceanu, 1 Marius Raischi, 1 Diana Dumitru, 1 Andreea Moncea, 1 Lucian Laslo, 1 György Deák, 3 Ágnes Keresztesi 1 National Institute for Research and Development in Environmenal Protection, Bucharest, Romania; 2 University Sapientia, Miercurea-Ciuc, Romania; 3 Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Corresponding author: Á. Keresztesi, keresztesiagi@gmail Abstract. Air quality modelling is an essential tool for most air pollution studies. The air quality models are the means whereby pollutant emissions can be related to atmospheric pollutant concentrations. The uncertainties in assessment of air quality are related to both the quality of measured values of pollutant concentrations in local network and the input data for the models. The better estimation of air quality requests to combine the results of measurements with the results obtained by modelling. The aim of this paper is to analyse the level of air pollution caused by Moldova Noua waste dump and identifying of methods to improve the assessment of air quality by comparing the measured and modelled values of PM 10 concentrations. Considering the stringent and largely debated issue of trans-border pollution within the Moldova Noua waste dump area which affects both Romania and Serbia, the main pollutants PM 10 were monitored in three main sampling points, in different time periods and weather conditions. Key Words: urban pollutants, air quality, model, waste dump, PM 10 . Introduction. Particles that remain suspended in the air do so due to their size, shape and density. Large heavy particles fall out quickly, while fine light particles remain suspended for longer. These fine particles can be inhaled into the human’s respiratory tract (Szép et al 2016a, 2016d). Particles less than 10 μm have the greatest chance of reaching the deepest parts of the lung, leading to possible adverse health effects (Hosker 1980; Zanetti 1990). Particles come from a wide variety of sources, both natural and man-made. Natural sources include forest fires, volcanic eruptions, sea spray, soil and rock erosion, pollen grains and fungal spores. Man-made sources include combustion processes, the extraction and working of soil and rock, a wide variety of industrial processes, and the wearing of road surfaces by motor vehicles. Particulate matter suspension concentrations are regulated by the European Directives, and under specific atmospheric conditions (thermic inversions, static stability) can exceed the accepted limits (Korodi et al 2017). During thermic inversion periods and static stability, pollutants can accumulate increasing particulate matter concentrations (Petres et al 2017). In the atmosphere, the particulate matters (PMs) may be classed as either primary or secondary. Primary particles are those such as carbon particles from combustion, mineral particles derived from stone abrasion, and sea salt. Secondary particles are those that are formed in the atmosphere by the chemical reaction of the gases, which combine to form less volatile compounds that then condense into particles (Szép & Mátyás 2014; Szép et al 2016b, 2016c). All particles, whatever their source or composition, are measured as PM 10 if they fall within the right size range. Three size ranges, in the context of the mass balance and health aspects of particulate matter were defined. The entire domain of particulate matter is known as Total Suspended Particulate (TSP). This includes all airborne solid and liquid particles, except pure water, ranging in size from approximately 0.005 μm to 100 μm in diameter. The PM 10 refers to particulate matter less than 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter. It is commonly referred to as inhalable or thoracic particles as they can penetrate into the thoracic compartment (from the trachea down to and including the alveoli) of the human respiratory tract. Such particles are known to cause human health impacts (Wilson & Spengler 1996). The PM 10 is generally subdivided into two modes: fine and coarse. Fine mode defines particles of 2.5 μm, or less diameter (PM 2.5 ). Coarse mode refers to particles greater than 2.5 μm (but less than 10 μm). The smaller the particle, the deeper it can penetrate into the lung and the greater the potential health impact. Industrial activity is an important source of PM 10 (Balaceanu & Stefan 2004).

Upload: others

Post on 27-Dec-2021

3 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Air pollution analysis in Moldova Noua waste dump

ECOTERRA - Journal of Environmental Research and Protection

www.ecoterra-online.ro 2017, Volume 14, Issue 2

70

Air pollution analysis in Moldova Noua waste dump 1Simona Natalia Raischi, 2Robert Szép, 1Cristina Mihaela Balaceanu, 1Marius Raischi, 1Diana Dumitru, 1Andreea Moncea, 1Lucian Laslo, 1György Deák, 3Ágnes Keresztesi 1 National Institute for Research and Development in Environmenal Protection, Bucharest,

Romania; 2 University Sapientia, Miercurea-Ciuc, Romania; 3 Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Corresponding author: Á. Keresztesi, keresztesiagi@gmail

Abstract. Air quality modelling is an essential tool for most air pollution studies. The air quality models are the means whereby pollutant emissions can be related to atmospheric pollutant concentrations. The uncertainties in assessment of air quality are related to both the quality of measured values of pollutant concentrations in local network and the input data for the models. The better estimation of air quality requests to combine the results of measurements with the results obtained by modelling. The aim of this paper is to analyse the level of air pollution caused by Moldova Noua waste dump and identifying of methods to improve the assessment of air quality by comparing the measured and modelled values of PM10 concentrations. Considering the stringent and largely debated issue of trans-border pollution within the Moldova Noua waste dump area which affects both Romania and Serbia, the main pollutants PM10 were monitored in three main sampling points, in different time periods and weather conditions. Key Words: urban pollutants, air quality, model, waste dump, PM10.

Introduction. Particles that remain suspended in the air do so due to their size, shape and density. Large heavy particles fall out quickly, while fine light particles remain suspended for longer. These fine particles can be inhaled into the human’s respiratory tract (Szép et al 2016a, 2016d). Particles less than 10 µm have the greatest chance of reaching the deepest parts of the lung, leading to possible adverse health effects (Hosker 1980; Zanetti 1990).

Particles come from a wide variety of sources, both natural and man-made. Natural sources include forest fires, volcanic eruptions, sea spray, soil and rock erosion, pollen grains and fungal spores. Man-made sources include combustion processes, the extraction and working of soil and rock, a wide variety of industrial processes, and the wearing of road surfaces by motor vehicles. Particulate matter suspension concentrations are regulated by the European Directives, and under specific atmospheric conditions (thermic inversions, static stability) can exceed the accepted limits (Korodi et al 2017). During thermic inversion periods and static stability, pollutants can accumulate increasing particulate matter concentrations (Petres et al 2017).

In the atmosphere, the particulate matters (PMs) may be classed as either primary or secondary. Primary particles are those such as carbon particles from combustion, mineral particles derived from stone abrasion, and sea salt.

Secondary particles are those that are formed in the atmosphere by the chemical reaction of the gases, which combine to form less volatile compounds that then condense into particles (Szép & Mátyás 2014; Szép et al 2016b, 2016c). All particles, whatever their source or composition, are measured as PM10 if they fall within the right size range.

Three size ranges, in the context of the mass balance and health aspects of particulate matter were defined. The entire domain of particulate matter is known as Total Suspended Particulate (TSP). This includes all airborne solid and liquid particles, except pure water, ranging in size from approximately 0.005 µm to 100 µm in diameter.

The PM10 refers to particulate matter less than 10 µm in aerodynamic diameter. It is commonly referred to as inhalable or thoracic particles as they can penetrate into the thoracic compartment (from the trachea down to and including the alveoli) of the human respiratory tract. Such particles are known to cause human health impacts (Wilson & Spengler 1996). The PM10 is generally subdivided into two modes: fine and coarse.

Fine mode defines particles of 2.5 µm, or less diameter (PM2.5). Coarse mode refers to particles greater than 2.5 µm (but less than 10 µm). The smaller the particle, the deeper it can penetrate into the lung and the greater the potential health impact. Industrial activity is an important source of PM10 (Balaceanu & Stefan 2004).

Page 2: Air pollution analysis in Moldova Noua waste dump

ECOTERRA - Journal of Environmental Research and Protection

www.ecoterra-online.ro 2017, Volume 14, Issue 2

71

The aim of this paper is the study of the air pollution in Moldova Noua Waste Dump with particulate matter (PM10) by the intercomparison of measured and modelled value. The results obtained were based on the analysis of the level of pollution for a surface source, both by using the Gaussian dispersion model of atmospheric pollutants and by determining the concentrations of pollutants based on monitoring with the mobile laboratory and by using DESAGA Sampler (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Mobile laboratory (left) and DESAGA Sampler (right).

Material and Method. The waste dump (Figure 2) is a result of activities of the Moldova Noua Mining Enterprise, which was put into operation in 1965 and whose object was the exploitation of the ore mining reserves with a maximum processing of 1.6 million tons year-1.

Figure 2. Waste dump Moldova Noua.

At present, the enterprise is no longer operating, following the mining operations remaining 150 ha of land occupied by the Waste Dump. On this area, there are two tailings ponds: Tăuşani and Boşneag, located on the left bank of the Danube, on the territory of Moldova Nouă, between Moldova Veche and Coronini, close to the wetland Moldova Veche Bank from Natural Park Porţile de Fier (INCDPM Bucharest 2015). The tailings ponds are mainly formed of fine particles, resulting from the decanting of sludge from the copper preparation plant and its subsequent evaporation. The layer of dust deposited on the surface of the Tăuşani and Boşneag tailings ponds has an average thickness of approx. 1.50 m. Generally, the particulate are millimeter and submillimetric in size, and can be transported over long distances to the tailings ponds. The sediment in the Tăuşani and Boşneag tailings ponds is devoid of organic substances, has an acidic pH, contains heavy metals Cu, Ni, As, Cd, Zn, Pb. These conditions prevent the spontaneous development of vegetation, have a negative impact on environmental factors and affect

Page 3: Air pollution analysis in Moldova Noua waste dump

ECOTERRA - Journal of Environmental Research and Protection

www.ecoterra-online.ro 2017, Volume 14, Issue 2

72

the health of the population (Ilie et al 2017). The nearest localities on the Romanian bank of Danube River are: Moldova Veche (1 km to the west), Moldova Noua (1 km to the north-west) and Coronini (1 km to the south), and on the Serbian bank of Danube: Golubac near Coronini and Vinci in the vicinity of Moldova Veche. The main source of atmospheric pollution of the above mentioned localities is represented by the suspended particulate matter from the waste dump and may have a negative impact on habitats and biodiversity. Results and Discussion Measurement data using mobile laboratory. In period 20-23 March 2017, atmospheric pollutant concentrations were measured in Caraş Severin County, Moldova Nouă, near the waste dump resulting from mining operations in the area. For monitoring of the air quality parameters, three sampling points have been chosen and they are presented in Figure 3.

Figure 3. Location of sampling and monitoring points.

The sampling monitoring points are as follows:

- I - Kenik Pension, coordinates: 44°43'24''N, 21°37'6''E. This point is located in the village of Moldova Veche, about 500 meters away from DN57 and 150 meters from Moldova Veche Port and 2.5 km from waste dump Moldova Noua. This location was chosen to monitor the air quality in the urban area near the waste dump;

- II – Wastewater Treatment Plant, coordinates: 44°42'49''N, 21°38'25''E, the sampling point located about 150 m from the tailings heap. The objective of the treatment plant has not influenced the measured pollutant concentrations because it is in the construction phase;

- III - Pojejena Port, coordinates: 44°46'19''N, 21°34'38''E, tourist destination of local interest. It is 6.4 km from the city of Moldova Veche, and 8.8 km away from the waste dump.

The results obtained from the measured concentration with mobile laboratory for PM10 concentration are presented in Figure 4. From the analysis of the graphs it is observed that for the monitoring I (Kenik Pension) and II (Wastewater Treatment Plant) the concentration exceeds the limit value recommended by the Law 104/2011 on

Page 4: Air pollution analysis in Moldova Noua waste dump

ECOTERRA - Journal of Environmental Research and Protection

www.ecoterra-online.ro 2017, Volume 14, Issue 2

73

ambient air quality. In the case of III, because of the large distance from the source (8.8 Km), there were no exceedances of the limit values during the monitoring period (INCDPM Bucharest 2015).

Figure 4. Average of PM10 houly concentrations in three monitoring points.

Meteorological factors influence the concentrations of pollutants in the atmosphere (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Variation of PM10 concentrations depending on meteorological parameters.

During the air quality monitoring periods in Kenik Pension, the amount of water vapour was constant, for that reason the temperature varied inversely in proportion to the humidity. In the case of monitoring on 21 March 2017, from the hydrometrical point of view, the air was over-saturated (relative humidity > 100%) to wet (relative humidity =

Page 5: Air pollution analysis in Moldova Noua waste dump

ECOTERRA - Journal of Environmental Research and Protection

www.ecoterra-online.ro 2017, Volume 14, Issue 2

74

81-90%). In the case of monitoring realized on 22-23 March 2017, the air had a normal relative humidity (51-80%) to dry (31-50%). For the first monitoring period, PM10 concentrations have not exceeded the maximum daily value, according to Law 104/2011 (50 μg m-3) due to increased air humidity and wind speed ranging from 1 to 2.2 m s-1. In the second monitoring period, PM10 concentrations have exceeded the maximum daily value, according to Law 104/2011 (50 μg m-3) due to dry air and high wind velocities (1.8-4.7 m s-1). Measurement data using Desaga Sampler. In the waste dump area, 4 sampling points were chosen to determine the particulate concentrations in the suspension with a diameter of less than 10 μm. The location of sampling points is highlighted in Figure 3. Table 1 presents the values obtained during the monitoring period. Limits for PM10 concentration may be exceeded, especially in the waste dump area.

Table 1 PM10 (daily average samples - 24 hours)

Sampling location Sampling data

Measurement concentration (µg m-3)

Concentration of PM10 (µg m-3), according to

Law 104/2011 Kenik Pension 21.03.2017 74.3 50 Kenik Pension 22.03.2018 69 50

Waste Dump Moldova Noua 22.03.2017 215.4 50 Moldova Veche Port 22.03.2017 53.7 50

Pojejena Port 23.03.2017 31 50 Determination of PM10 concentration using Gaussian Model. Gaussian dispersion model was run to determine the PM10 concentration, during the analyzed period (21-23 March 2017) in the study area. The Figure 6 it shows the predominant wind direction, basis of wind speed and wind direction values recorded by the meteorological station, located on the mobile autolaboratory.

Figure 6. Wind rose.

Determination of the predominant wind direction was made with the WRLPLOT VIEW software (http://www.weblakes.com/products/wrplot/index.html). According to the Figure 6, it is observed that the prevailing wind direction during the air quality monitoring period was northwest, southwest.

Page 6: Air pollution analysis in Moldova Noua waste dump

ECOTERRA - Journal of Environmental Research and Protection

www.ecoterra-online.ro 2017, Volume 14, Issue 2

75

Results based on the analysis of the degree of pollution were obtained from a dispersion Gaussian model of atmospheric pollutants. After the analysis of the izoconcentrations, it was noticed an exceeding of the daily limit value for PM10 (50 µg m-3, as stipulated by Law 104/2011) in the most part of the area, with registered values of up to 200 µg m-3, depending on the weather conditions (Figure 7).

Figure 7. Dispersion of PM10 concentration in Moldova Noua area.

In order to establish the correlation between the measured and the modeled data, the variability between the two components was finally determined (Figure 8).

Figure 8. Correlation between modeled and measurement concentration.

Page 7: Air pollution analysis in Moldova Noua waste dump

ECOTERRA - Journal of Environmental Research and Protection

www.ecoterra-online.ro 2017, Volume 14, Issue 2

76

According to the Figure 8, the determination coefficient is 0.96594, for the correlation between the measured and modelling daily PM10 concentrations are straightforward linear and positively linear, and is also a strong correlation (according to Colton 1974). Conclusions. The results obtained in this paper, were based on the analysis of the level of pollution for a surface source, both by using the Gaussian dispersion model of atmospheric pollutants and by determining the concentrations of pollutants based on monitoring with the mobile laboratory and with DESAGA sampler.

In accordance with the monitoring results, in the areas situated near the waste dump, there are big issues within the pollution level, the daily mean concentration of PM10 is exceeded very much in these areas, in some meteorological conditions. For that reasons, in order to reduce the exposure level of the population, there have to be quickly identify and implemented the best measures to ecologies the waste dump area. Acknowledgements. The research activities that underlie the work have been performed in a project which is part of Research Program NUCLEU - contract 48N/2016 (PN 16 04 01 08), financed by the Romanian Ministry of Research. The authors would like to thank the management and employees of the National Institute for Research & Development in Environmental Protection for their valuable assistance and suggestions. References Balaceanu C., Stefan S., 2004, The assessment of the tsp particulate matter in the urban

ambient air. Romanian Reports in Physics 56(4):757-768. Colton T., 1974 Statistics in medicine. Little Brown & Co, Boston, USA, pp. 73-74. Hosker R. P., 1980 Practical applications of air pollutant deposition models – current

status, data requirements and research needs. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Air Pollutants and their Effects on the Terrestrial Ecosystem. Krupa S. V., Legge A. H. (eds), John Wiley and Sons, New York, ATDL Contribution, 80/8, NOAA, Oak Ridge, TN, 71 pp.

Ilie M., Marinescu F., Szép R., Ghita G., Deak G., Anghel A. M., Petrescu A., Uritescu B., 2017 Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments from the Danube river. Carpathian Journal of Earth And Environmental Sciences 12(2):437-445.

INCDPM Bucharest - Contract 6N / 2009, PN 09 06 01 22.2, Addendum 1/2015 - Researches regarding the ecology of waste dump, resulting from the mining operations with cross-border impact, funded under the MADED program, Beneficiary National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation

Korodi A., Petres S., Keresztesi Á., Szép R., 2017 Sustainable development. Theory or practice? Applied and Environmental Geophysics. Accepted manuscript, SGEM17/C/17775/31.03.2017.

Petres S., Korodi A., Keresztes R., Szép R., 2017 Tendencies and particularities in thermic inversion episodes in the Ciuc Basin – Eastern Carpathians, Romania. Applied and Environmental Geophysics, Accepted manuscript.

Szép R., Mátyás L., 2014 The role of atmospheric stability in high-PM10 concentration episodes in Miercurea-Ciuc (Harghita). Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences 9:241-250.

Szép R., Keresztes R., Deák G., Tobă F., Ghimpusian M., 2016a The dry deposition of PM10 és PM2.5 to the vegetation és its health effect in the Ciuc basin. Revista de Chimie 67(4):639-644.

Szép R., Mátyás L., Keresztes R., Ghimpusan M., 2016b Tropospheric ozone concentrations - seasonal and daily analysis and its association with NO and NO2 as a function of NOx in Ciuc Depression – Romania. Revista de Chimie 67(2):205-213.

Szép R., Keresztes R., Korodi A., Tonk S., Niculae A. G., Birloiu A. M., 2016c Dew point – indirect particulate matter pollution indicator in the Ciuc basin – Harghita, Romania. Revista de Chimie 67(10):1914-1921.

Page 8: Air pollution analysis in Moldova Noua waste dump

ECOTERRA - Journal of Environmental Research and Protection

www.ecoterra-online.ro 2017, Volume 14, Issue 2

77

Szép R., Keresztes R., Constantin L., 2016d Multi-model assessment of tropospheric ozone pollution indices of risk to human health and crops, and ozone deposition in Ciuc Depression – Romania. Revista de Chimie 67(3):408-413.

Wilson R., Spengler J. D., 1996 Particles in our air; concentrations and health effects. Harvard University Press.

Zanetti P., 1990 Air pollution modelling. Boston, pp. 223-247. *** http://www.weblakes.com/products/wrplot/index.html. *** The Goverment of Romania , Law no. 104 of 15 June 2011 on ambient air quality,

2011. Received: 23 May 2017. Accepted: 21 June 2017. Published online: 30 June 2017. Authors: Simona Natalia Raischi, National institute for Research and Development in Environmenal Protection, 294 Splaiul Independenţei, 6th District, 060031, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: [email protected] Robert Szép, Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Faculty of Economics, Socio - Human Science and Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Piaţa Libertăţii no. 1, 530104, Miercurea Ciuc, Romania, e-mail: [email protected] Cristina Mihaela Balaceanu, National institute for Research and Development in Environmenal Protection, 294 Splaiul Independenţei, 6th District, 060031, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: [email protected] Marius Raischi, National institute for Research and Development in Environmenal Protection, 294 Splaiul Independenţei, 6th District, 060031, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: [email protected] Diana Dumitru, National institute for Research and Development in Environmenal Protection, 294 Splaiul Independenţei, 6th District, 060031, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: [email protected] Andreea Moncea, National institute for Research and Development in Environmenal Protection, 294 Splaiul Independenţei, 6th District, 060031, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: [email protected] Lucian Laslo, National institute for Research and Development in Environmenal Protection, 294 Splaiul Independenţei, 6th District, 060031, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: [email protected] György Deák, National institute for Research and Development in Environmenal Protection, 294 Splaiul Independenţei, 6th District, 060031, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: [email protected] Ágnes Keresztesi, Babeș-Bolyai University, Institute for Doctoral Studies, Environmental Doctoral School, Fântânele 30, 400294, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, e-mail: [email protected] This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. How to cite this article: Raischi S. N., Szép R., Balaceanu C. M., Raischi M., Dumitru D., Moncea A., Laslo L., Deák G., Keresztesi Á., 2017 Air pollution analysis in Moldova Noua waste dump. Ecoterra 14(2):70-77.