Seasonal Variability of Resuspension

¹ Energetický ústav, Fakulta strojního inženýrství, VUT v Brně, Technická 2896, 616 69 Brno, ČR
² Ústav automatizace inženýrských úloh a informatiky, Fakulta stavební, VUT v Brně, Veveří 331/95, 602 00 Brno, ČR

^* Corresponding author: Jakub.Linda@vutbr.cz

Abstract

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 (PM_10-2,5). 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 PM_10-2,5, PM_2,5-1 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 PM_10-2,5. However, a concentration increase of fractions PM_2,5-1 and PM₁ is also evident with increasing wind speed. Although the increase in the PM₁ fraction is smaller than PM_10-2,5, it is more severe due to the respiratory deposition dose. The resuspension of particles of different fractions has different behaviours during the year. PM_10-2,5 particles are dominantly resuspended in the summer months. In winter, on the other hand, the proportion of PM_2.5-1 and PM₁ particles increases, which may be related to the heating season