Investigation of particulate matter concentration in the air of Žvërynas district in Vilnius

Abstract

Reduction of pollution is among priority environmental problems in our country. Real-time information about the air pollution in the biggest Lithuanian cities and industrical centers is received from the air quality stations every day. It is the main method for the air quality assessment. On the basis of this information it is possible to conclude that concentration of particles in some areas exceeds allowable limits. The concentration of particles in Žirmūnai and Žvėrynas districts of Vilnius exceeds the limits too. Assessment of changes in this air quality indicator and forecasting their development is rather complicated as regular measurement of particulate matter concentration (with the particle diameter up to 10 µm) was started at Lithuanian air quality stations only in 2003. The paper describes the methodology of recording particle concentrations in Žvėrynas district of Vilnius. The results of particle measurements are compared with a maximum allowable concentration (MAC) of the analyzed pollutant, the results of analysis are given in two- and three-dimensional graphics.