Two Years of Air Pollution Measurements at Athens Center: Variability and Role of Wood Burning

The results of continuous and systematic air pollution measurements conducted at the premises of the National Observatory of Athens in the centre of Athens, Greece (Thissio 37.97 N, 23.72 E) over a period of two years (December 2013–January 2016) are presented. The study focuses on the investigation of main pollutants’ concentrations and the identification of their diurnal and temporal variability. Emphasis is given on the role of wood burning as several smog events were encountered during winter-time in the Greater Athens Area (GAA) since 2012–2013. Monitoring of particulate (PM10), black carbon (BC) and major gaseous components (NOx and CO) was conducted on a routine basis while intensive campaigns during winter focused on more specialized observations of chemical tracers related to wood burning. The meteorological conditions prevailing in the area and the chemical analyses of filter samples are also used for the interpretation of the findings. Based on the BC deconvolution into the fractions associated with wood and fossil fuel burning (BCwb, BCff, respectively) and the results of chemical analyses, the impact of smog events on air pollution was quantified during winter-time. During summer-time the emissions of wood burning associated compounds are almost absent and the role of other local (e.g. traffic) and/or long-range transport sources/processes becomes more important.