Title: Inversions and air pollution in Istanbul

Authors: Orhan Sen

Addresses: Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Department of Meteorology, Istanbul Technical University, 80626, Maslak Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract: Owing to the rapidly growing and inefficient usage of fuel, air pollution has increased in Istanbul. The levels are affected by the weak dispersion conditions in the city. The strength of the inversion can be explained by the temperature difference between the top and bottom boundaries and their height. In this study, nighttime surface inversion heights have been found to range between 84 m and 419 m. The mean height of the inversions was found to be less than 300 m in winter months. This behaviour indicates a poor ventilation and high pollution potential in the city.

Keywords: Istanbul; temperature inversion; urban air pollution; Turkey; environmental pollution; surface inversion heights.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1997.028164

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1997 Vol.8 No.1/2, pp.158 - 163

Published online: 15 Sep 2009 *

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