Assessment of the variability of pollutants concentration over the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil, using the wavelet transform

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this work was to investigate the mean and variability of a dataset of pollutant concentrations from measurements taken over the metropolitan area of São Paulo city, Brazil. Wavelet analysis was applied to the time series of pollutant concentrations, revealing the strongest harmonics influencing the signals. A mode of variability of 4–8 days was significant until the middle of the last decade and is likely associated with the approach and passage of meteorological systems. A dataset representing the number of frontal systems moving across the state helped to explain the interannual variability during wintertime. Years with fewer frontal systems had higher levels of pollutants in several locations. Weather events such as inversions and the passage of frontal systems influence the concentration of pollutants. Public policies on air quality should focus not only on reducing the long‐term exposure of city‐dwellers to the negative effects of pollutants but also account for the possible short‐term effects of the weather on air quality.