Title: Baseline data in air quality impact studies

Authors: Ahmet Aksakal

Addresses: Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: The main objective of this paper is to explain not only the importance of the baseline data in air quality studies but also the general procedures and steps involved in the baseline data collection. Special considerations on the instruments and measurements for a perfect baseline data collection are also emphasized in this paper. As an example, an adequate baseline data collection procedure which took place in the North Eastern part of Saudi Arabia is briefly presented. The high resolution baseline data of (i) the air pollutants including sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, (ii) the surface meteorological parameters of temperature, pressure, solar radiation, wind speed, and (iii) mixing height, which was collected by an acoustic sounder, are discussed.

Keywords: meteorological and air quality monitoring; environmental impact analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.2001.000901

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 2001 Vol.15 No.3/4, pp.281-292

Published online: 18 Aug 2003 *

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