Title: The seasonal variation of urban air quality in northern European conditions

Authors: Jaakko Kukkonen, Mervi Konttinen, Pia Bremer, Timo Salmi, Helena Saari

Addresses: Finnish Meteorological Institute, Sahaajankatu 20 E, FIN-00810 Helsinki, Finland. Finnish Meteorological Institute, Sahaajankatu 20 E, FIN-00810 Helsinki, Finland. Finnish Meteorological Institute, Sahaajankatu 20 E, FIN-00810 Helsinki, Finland. Finnish Meteorological Institute, Sahaajankatu 20 E, FIN-00810 Helsinki, Finland. Finnish Meteorological Institute, Sahaajankatu 20 E, FIN-00810 Helsinki, Finland

Abstract: Meteorological conditions in northern Europe vary widely with the seasons. Consequently, the seasonal variation of urban air pollution is, to a large extent, determined by those meteorological variables which are important for air quality. We present first results on the yearly variation of atmospheric stability (and the occurrence of inversion layers), wind velocity, ambient temperature, solar radiation, precipitation and snow cover. The seasonal variations of the guideline exceedences for CO, NO₂, SO₂, TSP and PM₁₀ in urban areas in Finland are then interpreted in the light of the meteorological variation.

Keywords: measurement; meteorological; seasonal variation; urban air quality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2000.000571

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2000 Vol.14 No.1/2/3/4/5/6, pp.480-487

Published online: 18 Jul 2003 *

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