NATURAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO PART1CULATE MATER LEVELS OVER EUROPE-THE EXPERIENCE FROM GREECE 1

摘要

The occurrence of particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere is affecting air quality, visibility, public health, climate, and the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere. These impacts are driven by the chemical composition, size distribution and optical properties of the particles. A fraction of the atmospheric loading in particulate matter has natural origin and can not be therefore controlled by humans during environmental protection actions. It is therefore of great importance for designing sustainable development strategy to have a clear view of the importance of the natural sources to the PM levels over Europe and particularly over Greece as well as to its different fractions (PM10, PM2.5 and PM1). The present work investigates the natural components of PM and its chemical composition over Europe. It evaluates the climatic importance of the natural components in comparison with the anthropogenic ones and potential estimates for future changes. Emphasis is given on the Mediterranean area. For this purpose the study is supported by observations at various locations around Mediterranean from which published data are available and by 3-d global chemistry transport modelling results.