The Impact of Traffic Emission on Air Quality in an Urban Environment

Abstract

<p align="justify"> <span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Study of the impact of traffic emissions on air quality around the Haram Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, was conducted experimentally, numerically and statistically. Experimental study was performed to measure existing air quality. Numerical study was done to model the extent of air movement and pollutant dispersion within and around the Haram area. Statistical study was conducted to determine correlation coefficients, auto-correlation and time lags of each pollutant. Pollutant measurements were carried out using an air quality mobile laboratory at three sites. Numerical calculations were </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">made using an ISC-AERMOD </span></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">dispersion model. Concentrations of traffic emissions including nitrogen dioxide (NO</span>_{<span style="font-family:Verdana;">2</span>}<span style="font-family:Verdana;">), sulfur dioxide (SO</span>_{<span style="font-family:Verdana;">2</span>}<span style="font-family:Verdana;">), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O</span>_{<span style="font-family:Verdana;">3</span>}<span style="font-family:Verdana;">) and airborne particulate material under 10 μm diameter (PM</span>_{<span style="font-family:Verdana;">10</span>}<span style="font-family:Verdana;">) are presented and analyzed. The calculated concentrations are validated by comparing with observed values at the three sites. The results indicate good agreement between calculated concentrations and observed values, which demonstrate satisfactory model performance. Results show that the Haram area is experiencing high concentrations of dust. High buildings around the Haram Mosque act as flow obstacles. Mean pollutant dispersion was toward the south and southeast during January and June. Highest mean concentrations were observed in January and June.</span></span><span></span> </p> <p> <span></span> </p

Modeling the dispersion of traffic-derived black carbon emissions into hilly terrain

“…Forecasting dispersion of particulate matter from a low-level source in hilly terrain is challenging mainly because of wind-ow patterns. The models such as ISCST, CALPUFF, and AERMOD are widely used for studying the dispersion of airborne pollutants (Al-Jeelani, 2013;Huang and Guo, 2019;Michanowicz et al, 2016;Tartkovasky et al, 2013;Tartkovasky et al, 2016;Vaitiekunas et al, 2007;Venkatram et al, 2009). AERMOD is the advanced Gaussian plume model (USEPA, 2018).…”

Evaluation of aerial microbial pollutants in Al-Haram Al-Nabawi during pilgrimage of 2013

“…Recent studies were conducted to study air pollutants of different gases in the crowded areas such as Mekkah and Jeddah during Pilgrimage time (Al-Jeelani, 2009, Al-Jeelani, 2013, Al-Ahmadi and Al-Zahrani, 2013) and correlate the pollutants with certain diseases such as cancer (Al-Ahmadi and Al-Zahrani, 2013). Other but few studies concentrated on studying the microbial pollution in the two Harams in KSA.…”

Evaluation of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide at nine sites in Saudi Arabia during 2007

“…The daily average O 3 over this same interval was 21 ppb, with a number of 1-hr averages exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) 8-hr standard of 50 ppb. Pollution in Makkah has been observed to increase during the Hajj, when more than 2 million pilgrims visit (Al-Jeelani, 2009), most likely due to increased traffic (Al-Jeelani, 2013). Recent studies in Jeddah have found that O 3 levels are typically low in the city center but elevated at background sites, with 1-hr average concentrations often exceeding 40 ppb (Hassan et al, 2013;Porter et al, 2014).…”