FRI-9.2-1-EC-05
ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMICS OF FINE PARTICULATE MATTER (PM₁₀ AND PM₂.₅) AND OTHER MAJOR POLLUTANTS IN THE CITY OF RUSE IN 2024
Abstract
This report presents a comprehensive analysis of the air quality in the city of Ruse, Bulgaria, during 2024, based on data from the automatic monitoring station “Vazrazhdane”. The study focuses on the dynamics of the main atmospheric pollutants - particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃), and benzene (C₆H₆).
The results demonstrate that the concentrations of all monitored pollutants remained below the legally established limit values throughout the year. Exceedances of daily average concentrations were recorded only for PM₁₀ during the winter season, mainly due to unfavorable meteorological conditions and increased domestic heating. A comparative analysis of data for the period 2020-2024 reveals a steady downward trend in both the annual mean concentrations of particulate matter and the number of exceedance days.
The findings indicate a gradual improvement in the overall air quality in Ruse, which can be attributed to local environmental policies, modernization of household heating systems, and stricter control of industrial and transport-related emissions. The study confirms that, despite the persisting challenges during the cold months, the city shows sustainable progress towards achieving cleaner air and compliance with EU air quality standards.
The results demonstrate that the concentrations of all monitored pollutants remained below the legally established limit values throughout the year. Exceedances of daily average concentrations were recorded only for PM₁₀ during the winter season, mainly due to unfavorable meteorological conditions and increased domestic heating. A comparative analysis of data for the period 2020-2024 reveals a steady downward trend in both the annual mean concentrations of particulate matter and the number of exceedance days.
The findings indicate a gradual improvement in the overall air quality in Ruse, which can be attributed to local environmental policies, modernization of household heating systems, and stricter control of industrial and transport-related emissions. The study confirms that, despite the persisting challenges during the cold months, the city shows sustainable progress towards achieving cleaner air and compliance with EU air quality standards.
Keywords
air quality, particulate matter, PM₁₀, PM₂.₅, Ruse, Bulgaria, air pollution, environmental monitoring
REFERENCES
- Tomov, V., (2002) “Industrial and Ecological Security”, VSU “Chernorizets Hrabar”, (Оригинално заглавие: Томов В., (2002 г.)„Индустриална и екологична сигурност“, ВСУ „Черноризец Храбър“).
- Filipova M.,Stoyanov S., (2011) „Environmental Monitoring and Environmental Management“, "Angel Kanchev" University of Ruse (Оригинално заглавие: Филипова М., Стоянов С., (2011) „Екологичен мониторинг и управление на околната среда“ РУ „Ангел Кънчев“).
- Executive Environment Agency (EEA), 2024. Air Quality in Europe - Annual Report. (Оригинално заглавие: Европейска агенция по околна среда (ЕАОС), 2024. Качество на атмосферния въздух в Европа - годишен доклад).
- Executive Environment Agency (IAOS), 2020-2024. National System for Air Quality Monitoring. (Оригинално заглавие: Изпълнителна агенция по околна среда (ИАОС), 2020-2024. Национална система за мониторинг на качеството на атмосферния въздух).
- Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water - Ruse (RIEW Ruse), 2020-2024. Annual Air Quality Reports. (Оригинално заглавие: РИОСВ - Русе, 2020-2024. Годишни доклади за качеството на атмосферния въздух).
- Directive 2008/50/EC on Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe. (Оригинално заглавие: Директива 2008/50/ЕО относно качеството на атмосферния въздух и по-чист въздух за Европа).
- Ordinance №12 on Standards for SO₂, NO₂, PM, Lead, Benzene, CO, and Ozone in Ambient Air. (Оригинално заглавие: Наредба №12 за норми за серен диоксид, азотен диоксид, прахови частици, олово, бензен, въглероден оксид и озон в атмосферния въздух (обн., ДВ, бр. 58 от 30.07.2010г., посл. изм. и доп. ДВ. бр.79 от 8 Октомври 2019 г.).