The main goal /Challenge
Оbtain new knowledge about the concentrations and spatio-temporal variations of some biologically and ecologically significant species in particulate matter in Bulgaria with the use of unique modern methodology and devices for carbon and carbon containing species (BC/BrC and PAHs) in PM2.5.
Research objectives
- Establishment of harmonized database for the concentrations of BC and PAHs in PM2.5 in urban environment (Sofia and Burgas).
- Study of statistical relationships between the concentrations of PM2.5, BC and PAHs and meteorological parameters.
- Analysis of modelling results for the studied species for the territory of the country and comparison to data from the experimental campaigns.
Capacity Building Objectives
- Improvement and optimization of the theoretical and experimental approaches, used at NIMH and at the Burgas University “Prof. Dr Asen Zlatarov” for investigations on air quality and on the important for the health fine particulate matter.
- Training and improvement of qualification of young team members to perform complex scientific tasks and to use integrated approaches for analyzing and solving significant ecological and societal problems.
- Development of cooperation between two different scientific institutions.
Funding
Competition for financial support of fundamental research – 2019, National Science Fund, Ministry of Education and Science
Expected results
The main expected results relate to the acquisition of new knowledge in the field of atmospheric chemistry, atmospheric physics and ecology. In general, they refer to carbon concentrations (BC / BrC) and 19 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the PM2.5 fraction in urban conditions in the country. In particular:
- Existing facilities for experimental PM2.5 sampling campaigns will be upgraded in NIMH and University "Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov";
- A methodological approach will be developed for the analysis of BC and PAHs with various techniques of analysis (optical method - wavelength absorption black carbon instrument) and gas chromatograph with triple quadrupole mass spectrometer - Thermo Scientific Trace 1300 / TSQ 8000;
- New experimental data on the concentrations of PM2.5 will be obtained for the parallel time interval in the urban environment (Sofia and Burgas);
- The BC content in the PM2.5 will be obtained, which will allow for a more accurate identification of the contribution of transport and household combustion (biomass burning) as sources of particulate matter pollution. The relative share of biomass combustion in the formation of PM2.5 pollution based on Brown Carbon Determination (BrC) will be estimated;
- Real-time concentrations and short-term variations of the BC in Sofia and Burgas;
- New information on the content of PAHs in PM will be obtained, which will allow for a more accurate identification of the contribution of transport, biomass burning and specific industrial factories/plants as a source of particulate matter pollution in Sofia and Burgas;
- The statistical correlations between the meteorological parameters and the concentrations of PM, BC and PAHs in the PM in urban conditions will be obtained;
- A database including results for meteorological parameters and for carbon concentrations (BC/BrC) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 fraction will be created;
- The contribution of atmospheric transport processes to PM concentrations and the ability of modern complex numerical systems to reproduce the measured PM2.5 concentrations for the country will be evaluated.