Transport Mechanisms and Pollutant Dynamics Influencing PM<sub>10</sub> Levels in a Densely Urbanized and Industrialized Region near Naples, South Italy: A Residence Time Analysis
This study explores the transport mechanisms and pollutant dynamics influencing particulate matter concentrations at the Pomigliano d’Arco monitoring site, situated in a densely urbanized and industrialized region near Naples, Southern Italy, where daily PM<sub>10</sub> averages consiste...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/4/393 |
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| author | Antonella Giarra Angelo Riccio Elena Chianese Marco Annetta Maria Toscanesi Marco Trifuoggi |
| author_facet | Antonella Giarra Angelo Riccio Elena Chianese Marco Annetta Maria Toscanesi Marco Trifuoggi |
| author_sort | Antonella Giarra |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explores the transport mechanisms and pollutant dynamics influencing particulate matter concentrations at the Pomigliano d’Arco monitoring site, situated in a densely urbanized and industrialized region near Naples, Southern Italy, where daily PM<sub>10</sub> averages consistently exceed EU thresholds. Exploiting an innovative residence time analysis, based on backward-trajectory analysis with the HYSPLIT model, we investigated air mass histories from 2018 to 2023 to identify predominant pollutant transport pathways and their temporal dynamics. Seven distinct airflow clusters were identified, with the most frequent originating from the western and northeastern directions, influenced by local circulation and long-range transport from the central Mediterranean and northern Africa. Seasonal variations revealed elevated PM<sub>10</sub> levels during winter months, attributed to increased residential heating and temperature inversions, as well as summer peaks linked to Saharan dust transport and secondary aerosol formation. The residence time analysis highlighted regions within the central Mediterranean and northern Africa as significant contributors to high PM<sub>10</sub> concentrations at the monitoring site, emphasizing the role of both local emissions and transboundary pollution. These findings provide critical insights for policymakers and air quality managers to develop targeted mitigation strategies aimed at reducing PM pollution in urban and industrialized areas, thereby enhancing public health and environmental sustainability. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4c3004be65e441d084337cd7dd35bd7f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj-art-4c3004be65e441d084337cd7dd35bd7f2025-08-20T03:14:23ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332025-03-0116439310.3390/atmos16040393Transport Mechanisms and Pollutant Dynamics Influencing PM<sub>10</sub> Levels in a Densely Urbanized and Industrialized Region near Naples, South Italy: A Residence Time AnalysisAntonella Giarra0Angelo Riccio1Elena Chianese2Marco Annetta3Maria Toscanesi4Marco Trifuoggi5Department of Chemistry, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Science and Technology, University of Naples ‘Parthenope’, Centro Direzionale, Isola C4, 80143 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Science and Technology, University of Naples ‘Parthenope’, Centro Direzionale, Isola C4, 80143 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, ItalyThis study explores the transport mechanisms and pollutant dynamics influencing particulate matter concentrations at the Pomigliano d’Arco monitoring site, situated in a densely urbanized and industrialized region near Naples, Southern Italy, where daily PM<sub>10</sub> averages consistently exceed EU thresholds. Exploiting an innovative residence time analysis, based on backward-trajectory analysis with the HYSPLIT model, we investigated air mass histories from 2018 to 2023 to identify predominant pollutant transport pathways and their temporal dynamics. Seven distinct airflow clusters were identified, with the most frequent originating from the western and northeastern directions, influenced by local circulation and long-range transport from the central Mediterranean and northern Africa. Seasonal variations revealed elevated PM<sub>10</sub> levels during winter months, attributed to increased residential heating and temperature inversions, as well as summer peaks linked to Saharan dust transport and secondary aerosol formation. The residence time analysis highlighted regions within the central Mediterranean and northern Africa as significant contributors to high PM<sub>10</sub> concentrations at the monitoring site, emphasizing the role of both local emissions and transboundary pollution. These findings provide critical insights for policymakers and air quality managers to develop targeted mitigation strategies aimed at reducing PM pollution in urban and industrialized areas, thereby enhancing public health and environmental sustainability.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/4/393Mediterranean air qualityair mass transportcluster analysisresidence time analysisSaharan dust |
| spellingShingle | Antonella Giarra Angelo Riccio Elena Chianese Marco Annetta Maria Toscanesi Marco Trifuoggi Transport Mechanisms and Pollutant Dynamics Influencing PM<sub>10</sub> Levels in a Densely Urbanized and Industrialized Region near Naples, South Italy: A Residence Time Analysis Atmosphere Mediterranean air quality air mass transport cluster analysis residence time analysis Saharan dust |
| title | Transport Mechanisms and Pollutant Dynamics Influencing PM<sub>10</sub> Levels in a Densely Urbanized and Industrialized Region near Naples, South Italy: A Residence Time Analysis |
| title_full | Transport Mechanisms and Pollutant Dynamics Influencing PM<sub>10</sub> Levels in a Densely Urbanized and Industrialized Region near Naples, South Italy: A Residence Time Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Transport Mechanisms and Pollutant Dynamics Influencing PM<sub>10</sub> Levels in a Densely Urbanized and Industrialized Region near Naples, South Italy: A Residence Time Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Transport Mechanisms and Pollutant Dynamics Influencing PM<sub>10</sub> Levels in a Densely Urbanized and Industrialized Region near Naples, South Italy: A Residence Time Analysis |
| title_short | Transport Mechanisms and Pollutant Dynamics Influencing PM<sub>10</sub> Levels in a Densely Urbanized and Industrialized Region near Naples, South Italy: A Residence Time Analysis |
| title_sort | transport mechanisms and pollutant dynamics influencing pm sub 10 sub levels in a densely urbanized and industrialized region near naples south italy a residence time analysis |
| topic | Mediterranean air quality air mass transport cluster analysis residence time analysis Saharan dust |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/4/393 |
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