geographia - Studia

M. PĂTROESCU, CR. IOJĂ, D. ONOSE, G. VANAU, A. CUCU, R. CĂRCĂLE, C. CIOCĂNEA
There were 16 monitoring points, 11 in crossroads and intermediary positions
along Ştefan cel Mare Street, 5 behind the first line of buildings (Fig. 1). Gathered data
were assessed using national standard regulations: legislative norm no. 592/2002, Bucharest
Master Plan and STAS 10144/1 – 80. PM data was also used to calculate the EPA Air
Quality Indicator (AQI) (A. van den Elshout et al., 2008; Cr. Ioja, 2008).
Traffic intensity and structure was determined for the 11 monitoring points situated
alongside the avenue through an inventory of the number of vehicles by categories (automobile,
mini bus, bus, lorry, ambulance, tram) (Maria Pătroescu et al., 2002). Vehicles count was
performed between 08.00 – 20.00, weather conditions being clear sky, temperature 21-32 °C,
low wind and 30-40 % RH. Traffic data (intensity and structure) was used to estimate PM
probable quantities according to MOBILE 6.2, PART5 and European Union methods (Z.
Samaras and S.C. Sorensen, 1999, F. de Leeuw, 2002). R.A.R. - Romanian Automobile
Registry statistics regarding vehicle fuel type in Bucharest (2009) show a 60.9% gasoline,
37.3% diesel and 1.8 % LPG percentage distribution, considered a premise in our study.
Influence factors for PM concentrations and Leq (air conditioning units, green
spaces) were inventoried and mapped alongside the study area and in its proximity.
Building facades condition was also evaluated using a 5 classes classification, from very
good (1) to very poor (5).
PM concentrations and Leq spatial distribution were mapped using ArcGis 9.3,
ArcMap and ArcCatalog by polynomial locale feature (P. Longley, 2005). Bucharest geo
referenced cadastral maps 1:5.000 were used to draw the base map.
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4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4. 1. Air pollution sources
The main factors affecting air quality (Z. Samaras and S.C. Sorensen, 1999) in the
study area are mobile sources, as traffic that is extremely congested on this route. Average
speed on Ştefan cel Mare Street is 35 km/h, dropping below 20 km/h at rush hours and
rising to 40-50 km/h during nights and weekends.
Traffic is distributed on 3 lanes per direction and there are 2 tramway tracks. The
circulation is fragmented by 6 signal-controlled crossroads. In Obor area there is another
traffic flow going through a tunnel whose inclination determines as a side effect the
increase of pollutants concentrations in the air (P. Edussuriya et al., 2009).
Road traffic is responsible for both the increase of pollutants concentrations in the
atmosphere (L. Wang et al., 2004) and a high noise level (E. da Paz şi Zannin, 2009). PM
generated by the friction between the surface of the rubber wheel and the road, the clutch
and brake manoeuvres, is highly dangerous for human health due to their physical and
chemical characteristics (W. Rees, 1997; European Commission, 2009).
The study area is a residential one, without industrial active sources of emissions
(Cr. Iojă, 2008). Point sources of emissions that affect air quality are varied, including
construction, major repair and renovation actions, degraded or abandoned buildings (for
example Moara lui Assan (Fig. 1); residential blocks with facades in poor condition, etc).
The large number of air conditioning and apartment heating units further damage the air
quality (L. Wang et al., 2004), as do wood and fossil fuels heating units in single-family
houses in the proximity of the study area (Viitorului, Lizeanu and Vasile Lascăr areas),
RATB city’s public transport company depot and underground infrastructure air vents
(subway, equipments etc). Street maintenance (reconditioning, sweeping, washing) and
green spaces poor administration add PM in the air.