Relationship between rooftop and on-road concentrations of traffic-related pollutants in a busy street canyon: Ambient wind effects

Environ Pollut. 2016 Jan;208(Pt A):185-197. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.07.030. Epub 2015 Jul 30.

Abstract

Rooftop and on-road measurements of O3, NO2, NOx, and CO concentrations were conducted to investigate the relationship between rooftop and on-road concentrations in a busy and shallow street canyon with an aspect ratio of ∼0.3 in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from 15 April to 1 May 2014. The median road-to-roof concentration ratios, correlation coefficients between rooftop and on-road concentrations, and temporal variations of rooftop and on-road concentrations are analyzed according to the rooftop wind directions which are two cross-canyon and two along-canyon directions. The analysis results indicate that the relationship is strong when the rooftop is situated on the downwind side rather than on the upwind side. Relative to the cross-canyon wind directions, one of the along-canyon wind directions can more enhance the relationship. A conceptual framework is proposed to explain the effect of ambient wind direction on the relationship between rooftop and on-road concentrations in a street canyon.

Keywords: Ambient wind direction; Busy street canyon; On-road measurement; Rooftop measurement; Traffic-related pollutants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Hazardous Substances / analysis
  • Particulate Matter / analysis*
  • Republic of Korea
  • Satellite Imagery
  • Seasons
  • Vehicle Emissions / analysis*
  • Wind*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Hazardous Substances
  • Particulate Matter
  • Vehicle Emissions