A Practical And Low-Cost Method To Assess The Air Quality In Large Cities: Buenos Aires Experience

Abstract:

Results of the Buenos Aires Research on Urban Climate and Air Pollution project (BARUCA) are presented. A combination of continuous measurements at seven sites and grid random measurements on ground at 60 sites and vertical soundings with tethered balloons were performed in Buenos Aires city from May 2006 to May 2007. The observational campaign provided for the first time intensive measurements in both space and time resolution for a one year period to advance in this field. During an intensive observation period, the vertical structure and evolution of the atmospheric layer and meteorological parameters was found to agree with the particulate matter distribution. Results obtained from the ground measurements and vertical balloon soundings showed that PM2.5 is horizontally and vertically more evenly distributed in the atmosphere than PM10. PM2.5 diurnal courses showed as well a more clearly seasonal variation than that of PM10. The horizontal distribution of PM10 concentrations in an area covering 48% of the total area Buenos Aires city was determined.