University of Hertfordshire Research Archive

        JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

        Browse

        All of UHRABy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitles

        Arkivum Files

        My Downloads
        View Item 
        • UHRA Home
        • University of Hertfordshire
        • Research publications
        • View Item
        • UHRA Home
        • University of Hertfordshire
        • Research publications
        • View Item

        Drivers of severe air pollution events in a deep valley during wintertime: a case study from the Arve river valley, France

        View/Open
        Final Accepted Version (PDF, 8Mb)
        Author
        Quimbayo-Duarte, Julian
        Chemel, Charles
        Staquet, Chantal
        Troude, Florence
        Arduini, Gabriele
        Attention
        2299/24111
        Abstract
        The Arve river valley airshed in the French Alps experiences particularly severe air pollution during wintertime stable atmospheric conditions associated with persistent cold-air pools. PM10 data recorded in the region indicate that the urbanised area of the central basin-shape section of the valley is generally the most polluted, with a harmful impact on the health of inhabitants. In the present work, we examine the air pollution transport potential of the Arve river valley airshed using results from high-resolution numerical simulations of a cold-air pool documented as part of the Passy-2015 field campaign. Passive tracers were used to model PM10 with emissions provided by a detailed inventory developed by the local air-quality agency. The observed differential in PM10 levels between valley sections was well captured by the numerical model and could not be explained solely by the differential in emissions. The stagnation, recirculation and ventilation potential of the airshed was evaluated spatially and temporally using integral quantities. The analysis indicated that the central basin-shape section of the valley is poorly ventilated and hence air pollution there would originate mostly from local emission sources. This stagnation zone appears to be almost decoupled from the rest of the airshed. The airshed was decomposed in separate valley sections so as to quantify the fate of the pollutants emitted within each section. Air pollution apportioned according to the contribution of emissions from the different valley sections shows that indeed the central basin-shape section is dominated by local sources. The situation was found more complex in the valley sections further downstream, where the contribution from the sum of the non-local sources can be as large as that from local sources. This study allows to identify the origin of the strong pollution in the Arve river valley, through the link between the local topography, emission sources and pollutant transport.
        Publication date
        2021-02-15
        Published in
        Atmospheric Environment
        Published version
        https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.118030
        License
        http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
        Other links
        http://hdl.handle.net/2299/24111
        Relations
        School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science
        Metadata
        Show full item record
        Keep in touch

        © 2019 University of Hertfordshire

        I want to...

        • Apply for a course
        • Download a Prospectus
        • Find a job at the University
        • Make a complaint
        • Contact the Press Office

        Go to...

        • Accommodation booking
        • Your student record
        • Bayfordbury
        • KASPAR
        • UH Arts

        The small print

        • Terms of use
        • Privacy and cookies
        • Criminal Finances Act 2017
        • Modern Slavery Act 2015
        • Sitemap

        Find/Contact us

        • T: +44 (0)1707 284000
        • E: ask@herts.ac.uk
        • Where to find us
        • Parking
        • hr
        • qaa
        • stonewall
        • AMBA
        • ECU Race Charter
        • disability confident
        • AthenaSwan