The Effects of Surface Lignite Mines Closure on the Particulates Concentrations in the Vicinity of Large-Scale Extraction Activities

Abstract

The European green deal and energy transition policies and the competition primarily shaped by the high price of carbon dioxide emission allowances and the consistently reduced cost of renewable energy technologies directly affect the coal and lignite extraction industry. Lignite production in Western Macedonia Lignite Centre reduced from 43.2 million tons in 2010 to 10.3 million tons in 2020. This development affects the ambient air quality of the large lignite mine area, as evidenced by the records of 10 monitoring stations incorporating the laser light scattering method. All stations measure reduced particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations compared to the period before 2010, while the number of annual exceedances of the limit value for the daily average PM10 concentrations has been decreased. Moreover, differences in air quality measurements of monitoring stations related to their distance from mining activities now tend to be minimized. Based on these facts, it can be predicted that, after the closure of lignite extraction and the electricity generation activities, the concentration of particulates in the atmosphere will reach the typical levels for rural areas of Southern Europe, no matter what the mines’ land reforestation and repurposing program will include.

Investigation of the particulate air pollution and the ratio of PM2.5 to PM10 concentrations in the atmosphere over the lignite mining and lignite-fired power plants region of Western Macedonia, Greece.

“…However, Pavloudakis et al (2022) found that there was a considerable improvement of the air quality in this area over the period 2011-2020 with decreased levels in both PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations and less air pollution episodes [8]. These findings are consistent with the present study.…”

“…These findings are consistent with the present study. Moreover, it should be mentioned that many pollution episodes are related to seasonal agricultural activities in the region (e.g., combustion of biomass residues after harvesting) or even the Saharan dust transport events [8].…”

“…In addition, Pavloudakis et al (2022) mentioned that the air quality monitoring stations in Florina and Vevi-Meliti are located in the northern part of the basin, where a 330 MW power plant is in operation and small private mines are active [8]. Also, these stations affected by the air pollution from mining and power generation activities operating close to the borders in the Republic of North Macedonia [8]. All these are factors affecting the concentrations levels of PM of the region.…”

“…In the lignite basin of Western Macedonia, the lignite long-lasting exploitation and the mining activities have resulted in a series of negative impacts on the environment and air quality. Many researchers have investigated the relation between ambient air quality and mining and electricity generation activities carried out in this region [4,5,6,7,8].…”

Variability of Air Pollutant Concentrations and Their Relationships with Meteorological Parameters during COVID-19 Lockdown in Western Macedonia

“…In this study, we focus on Western Macedonia, Greece, which is largely dominated by lignite mining, lignite-fired power plants, and district heating systems [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. These activities are a significant part of the local and national economies but also contribute to environmental pollution in the region.…”