Particle-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons near power plants as determined by large volume injection--GC/MS.

PM(10) and PM(2.5) samples were collected at two locations in the heavy industrialized prefecture of Kozani, in North-western Greece; in the open-cast mines of Klitos area and in the urban area of city of Kozani. The samples were collected by the use of low volume samplers, for a period of 1 year every 6 d.

Design of a web-based information system for ambient environmental data.

The development of a new web-based information dissemination system in West Macedonia in Greece is described. The system has been developed for online use, giving the concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, SO(2), NO(X), O(3), CO, as well as meteorological data (temperature, humidity, solar radiation, wind speed and direction).

Levels and trend of suspended particles around large lignite power stations.

The results of a 16 year long sampling program in a heavily industrialized area of NW Greece are presented and analyzed. Four lignite power stations are operated in this area, which account for about 70% of the total electrical energy produced in Greece. Ambient concentrations of Total Suspended Particles (TSP) over much of the period 1983-1998 as well as of particles of less than 10 microm aerodynamic diameter (PM10) for three years were measured.

Aspects of atmospheric flow and dispersion of air pollutants in a mountainous basin.

The variety of physicogeographic characteristics, the complex topography and channeling of the synoptic/regional flow are among the main reasons for the formulation of local flow patterns, and consequently for the dispersion conditions in a mountainous area. In this paper, an attempt is made to investigate the mechanisms responsible for these phenomena and to explain the dispersion of air pollutants in a mountainous basin, especially the impingement of plumes released by elevated stacks. A coupled atmospheric and Lagrangian dispersion model was used for the analysis.

Variations of lead isotopes and airborne particulate concentrations from the Kozani basin, West Macedonia, Greece.

The spread and variation in 206Pb/207Pb ratios make Pb isotopes a powerful tool when it comes to detecting trends in airborne particulates originating mainly from power plants. This study was conducted to determine the source of pollution in Kozani area, an affected industrial area. Lead isotopic ratios of air filters under certain meteorological conditions were compared to Pb isotope analyses sampled from lignite mines, but also to Pb isotope analyses of cultivations in soil originating from the reclamation of old abandoned lignite-mines.

Respirable particulate matter at an urban and nearby industrial location: concentrations and variability and synoptic weather conditions during high pollution episodes.

Continuous data of the concentration measurements of respirable suspended particulates (PM10, particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than or equal to 10 pm) were analyzed. These measurements were carried out at an urban and nearby industrial location in northern Greece for the 5-year period 1996-2000. The time series concentration trend was examined, the seasonal and diurnal variations were identified, and the lognormality of the daily mean concentration data sets was tested.