Urban traffic noise monitoring program in the city center of Thesaloniki, Greece

This presentation describes systematic urban traffic noise measurements, at the Municipal permanent noise & air pollution monitoring station, at the commercial center of Thessaloniki, in northern Greece, for a period of more than a year (December 2003-December 2004). Mean hourly, daily, weekly and seasonally noise levels (Leq, L1, L10, L50, L90, L95) were calculated, for the above period. The mean daily value of Leq(08:00-20:00) was found equal to 72.1 dB(A), significantly higher than the national limit for transportation (road projects) set at 67 dB(A). A significant correlation of diurnal variation of noise levels and traffic volume was found at the urban city center. Also, the differences between 1989 and 2004 for traffic noise levels, at the main streets of the city with relatively high traffic loads are presented. The measurements show that the city of Thessaloniki has a significant traffic noise problem, due to the recorded 5, 4% annual increase of traffic volume

Synoptic and local scale atmospheric circulation associated with air pollution episodes in an urban Mediterranean area

Air pollution episodes in urban coastal areas follow certain pre-determined patterns, being associated with certain local meteorological conditions and emission of primary pollutants. In this study, the synoptic and local scale atmospheric circulation that prevails during air pollution episodes in a coastal major city in Greece, Thessaloniki, is examined for a period of 15 years (1989-2004). The study signifies the importance of studying air pollution meteorological patterns between coastal areas with different terrain characteristics. For Thessaloniki, it was found that the episodes occur mainly during the cold period of the year, while four types of synoptic scale circulation were recognized (I, II, III, IV) and five patterns of the local scale circulation (A1, A2, B1, B2 and B3). The highest percentage of episodes is associated with the presence of an anticyclone over the northern Greece (types I and IV), being characterized by weak or very weak surface pressure gradient intensity, according to the position and extension of the anticyclone. Moreover, a temperature increase of at least 1°C during the previous 3 days is required in the lower troposphere. Consistent with the synoptic conditions, the development of the sea breeze plays a crucial role in the occurrence of the episodes, even in the cold period of the year, when the sea breeze can still develop with smaller frequency and intensity. Finally, it was found that a small number of episodes is related with the advection of polluted air masses from the industrial area in the northwest of the city and from the Eordaia area in the west, which is the largest lignite producing area of Balkans. © Springer-Verlag 2008

Air Quality in the Thessaloniki Area. Monitoring Campaign in September 1987

Abstract not availableNA-NOT AVAILABL