Changes in PM10 concentration due to large-scale rainfall

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the estimation of the removal efficiency of PM10 by large-scale precipitation under no-wind conditions in a background (rural) and urban areas. The changes in PM10 concentrations before, during and after the presence of rainfall were studied from 2007 to 2013. The study was conducted in two different locations identified with regard to air quality. DAVIS weather stations were used to determine the meteorological conditions. The concentration of PM10 was calculated with the use of the gravimetric reference method. Two hundred and ninety-nine measurement series were carried out. A linear relationship was found between the intensity and duration of rainfall and the value of the removal coefficient (ΔC). It was proved that except light rains, for the near-to-ground troposphere, the effectiveness of the removal of PM10 (ΔC) did not assume different values at various locations for rainfall with the same intensity and duration. It was found that a temporary interaction of the effect of the purification by wet deposition was being minimised in areas characterised by low air quality. It was confirmed that intense rains resulted in the maintenance of higher values of air quality.