Estudo da concentração dos poluentes atmosféricos de Três Lagoas e a correlação destes com variáveis meteorológicas

Abstract

The economic growth associated with population agglomeration in urban centers has increasingly affected the concentration of air pollutants and public health. In this context, air quality monitoring networks are an important mechanism for analyzing and controlling of pollutants emission into the atmosphere. The present work aims to evaluate the concentration pollutants monitored in the Air Quality Telemetry Network of Mato Grosso do Sul, correlating them with meteorological variables. Temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction and the hourly pollutants concentration data - monitored at three different stations, located in the Três Lagoas for the period 2003-2016, were organized, followed by statistical analysis in R Studio software. The results were compared with the current standards and related to the meteorological conditions during the samplings. Finally, the Air Quality Index of the region was calculated. The results obtained enhanced the presence of similarities in the behavior of pollutants and the association of them with the meteorological conditions. In general, there was a decrease in annual concentrations, except for carbon monoxide (CO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), minor variation in the values obtained for the weekends, and increase in pollutants levels during autumn and winter seasons and at nighttime, with the exception of SO2, nitrogen oxide (NOX) and ozone (O3), respectively. The comparative evaluation between the data and the standards established by National Environmental Council (CONAMA) Resolution 003/90, São Paulo State Environmental Protection Agency (CETESB), United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) revealed exceedances of permitted limits in four of the five evaluated pollutants. On the other hand, it was verified through the IQA that CO, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter 2.5 μ (MP2.5) emissions have practically not affected Três Lagoas air quality, and there has been a significant improvement in air quality of the region for the last monitored years, considering the particulate matter 10 μ (MP10), SO2 and O3 indexes. The work carried out allowed to characterize the air quality of Três Lagoas, presenting a broad approach to the concentration of air pollutants in the city.