Essential variables for air quality estimation

Within this survey we describe the conceptual architecture of the infrastructure to measure PM2.5/PM10 concentration in the atmosphere over the Kyiv city using modern monitoring instruments. We define the requirements for information tools and network for informing Kyiv city community on the state of PM pollutions that will be created. This infrastructure will provide long-term PM2.5/PM10 observations that could be included in the AirBase network. The comprehensive review of in-situ and satellite measurements of PM2.5/PM10 is provided as well as the description current state-of-the-art for Air Quality monitoring with intelligent sensors and systems in Ukraine as-awhole and in Kyiv in particular. It is proposed to apply the concept of essential variables (EVs) used in Earth Observation to identify the variables that should be measured in priority when designing, deploying and maintaining observation systems. In this study we use and validate the global air quality products from Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service obtained from modeling by GEOS-Chem model and other sources. The influence of PM and aerosols on a human health is estimated in terms of possible diseases and dangerous concentrations

Spring 2020 Atmospheric Aerosol Contamination over Kyiv City

Extraordinarily high aerosol contamination was observed in the atmosphere over the city of Kyiv, Ukraine, during the March–April 2020 period. The source of contamination was the large grass and forest fires in the northern part of Ukraine and the Kyiv region. The level of PM2.5 load was investigated using newly established AirVisual sensor mini-networks in five areas of the city. The aerosol data from the Kyiv AERONET sun-photometer site were analyzed for that period. Aerosol optical depth, Ångström exponent, and the aerosol particles properties (particle size distribution, single-scattering albedo, and complex refractive index) were analyzed using AERONET sun-photometer observations. The smoke particles observed at Kyiv site during the fires in general correspond to aerosol with optical properties of biomass burning aerosol. The variability of the optical properties and chemical composition indicates that the aerosol particles in the smoke plumes over Kyiv city were produced by different burning materials and phases of vegetation fires at different times. The case of enormous PM2.5 aerosol contamination in the Kyiv city reveals the need to implement strong measures for forest fire control and prevention in the Kyiv region, especially in its northwest part, where radioactive contamination from the Chernobyl disaster is still significant

Spring 2020 Atmospheric Aerosol Contamination over Kyiv City

International audienceExtraordinarily high aerosol contamination was observed in the atmosphere over the city of Kyiv, Ukraine, during the March–April 2020 period. The source of contamination was the large grass and forest fires in the northern part of Ukraine and the Kyiv region. The level of PM2.5 load was investigated using newly established AirVisual sensor mini-networks in five areas of the city. The aerosol data from the Kyiv AERONET sun-photometer site were analyzed for that period. Aerosol optical depth, Ångström exponent, and the aerosol particles properties (particle size distribution, single-scattering albedo, and complex refractive index) were analyzed using AERONET sun-photometer observations. The smoke particles observed at Kyiv site during the fires in general correspond to aerosol with optical properties of biomass burning aerosol. The variability of the optical properties and chemical composition indicates that the aerosol particles in the smoke plumes over Kyiv city were produced by different burning materials and phases of vegetation fires at different times. The case of enormous PM2.5 aerosol contamination in the Kyiv city reveals the need to implement strong measures for forest fire control and prevention in the Kyiv region, especially in its northwest part, where radioactive contamination from the Chernobyl disaster is still significant