Atmospheric stability and PM10 concentrations at far distance from elevated point sources in complex terrain: worst-case episode study.

Atmospheric stability is the most important parameter affecting dilution of air pollutants. It plays a very important role in the investigation of parameters that affect ambient pollutant concentrations, especially in the case of complex terrain areas. In this study, the classification of atmospheric stability by Pasquill-Turner classes and any associated variation of ambient PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameter<10 microm) concentrations for a region of complex terrain is investigated. Real experimental meteorological and PM10 data are used for a 2-year period from one observation station far distant from the main stack sources and they are related with the classified atmospheric stability categories in an hourly and monthly based distribution. A more detailed analysis is carried out during PM10 episodes for the same period in order to reveal the governing worst-case atmospheric conditions.