Investigation of Sulfur Dioxide and Particulate Matter Levels in Kayseri, Turkey from 2008 to 2012

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the air pollution levels in Kayseri, Turkey, from 2008 to 2012. Daily particulate matter (PM₁₀)and sulfur dioxide(SO₂) data collected at three stations (namely, Melikgazi, Hürriyet, Organized Industrial Zone stations) in Kayseri for the 2008-2012 period were used in the analysis. The data were obtained from the National Air Quality Monitoring Network. Monthly and annual average concentrations of SO₂ and PM₁₀were calculated for a five-year period.SO₂ and PM₁₀values were evaluated based on the limit values set by the Evaluation and Management of Air Quality Regulation (HKDY) and air quality limit values set by the EuropeanCouncil (EC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).The correlations of SO₂ and PM₁₀ levels with meteorological parameters (air temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, and wind speed) were also investigated. During the 2008-2012 period, annual averageSO₂concentration was 21μg/m³and heating season (October-March)average SO₂concentration was 23μg/m³.Annual and heating season averagePM₁₀concentrations were 72μg/m³and 95 μg/m³,respectively. The lowest and highest concentrations of SO₂ were detected in the years 2009 and 2012, respectively. For PM₁₀, the lowest and highest concentrations occurred in 2009 and 2008, respectively. During the five-year period, in general, SO₂levels did not exceed the limit values set by the HKDY,ECand WHO.However,PM₁₀concentrations were higher than the limit values, set by the EC most of the time and sometimes exceeded the limit values set by the HKDY. SO₂and PM₁₀levels were found to be moderately correlated with precipitation and wind speed and weakly correlated with air temperatures and relative humidity.The analysis showed that although SO₂ levels measured in Kayseri were generally at the desired range, PM₁₀ values were more variable and sometimes higher than the limit values set by different organizations, particularly in the heating season. High PM₁₀ levels measured in Kayseri could be related to the use of coal in residential heating.