Doğu Karadeniz Bölgesi'ndeki Atmosferik Parçacıkların Kimyasal Karakterinin, Kirletici Kaynaklarının ve Kaynak Bölgelerinin Belirlenmesi

The Black Sea is surrounded by industrialized and semi-industrialized countries. The Black Sea coast of Turkey is approximately 1700 km long and surrounded by mountains from west to east. The air quality in the Black Sea region varies from place to place depending on different meteorological and climate conditions and the closeness of the local industrial pollution sources which are located in the Western Black Sea region. The air quality studies in Turkey, especially those conducted in rural areas, to determine the sources of particulate matter pollution have been conducted in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The studies conducted in the Black Sea region is a few and conducted in the western part of the Black Sea. There is no study representing the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. The Eastern Black Sea of Turkey receives air masses from north-west, north and east (especially in winter), hence is under the influence of Eastern Europe and Asian countries. However, the contribution of pollution transported from these potential source regions have not been determined yet.

Exceedances of PM₁₀ threshold values are frequently observed in the Eastern Black Sea region as well as most of the other Turkish cities. In a year, number of exceedances must not exceed 35 times in a year. If exceedances are proven to be due to natural sources, then these exceedances can be excluded from exceedance calculations as stated in CAFE Directive. However, there are no studies conducted in Turkey for quantitative analyses of these exceedances whether they are due to natural or anthropogenic sources.

Due to climate change, the likelihood of wildfires has been increased. The wildfires in Russia and Ukraine is especially important as long-range transport of these wildfires can contribute observed particulate matter concentrations in the Eastern Black Sea region. However, there is no study for assessment of such forest fires in the region.

The proposed study aims to collect PM₁₀ samples in a rural site representing the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey to investigate sources of pollution and their contributions by recoptor model (i.e PMF model) and determine the potential source regions using back-trajectory analyses. For this purpose, 24 h PM₁₀ samples will be collected by high-volume air sampler located in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. The sampling duration is planned to cover one year period to investigate the daily and seasonal variations. A comprehensive chemical characterization will be performed to delineate the PM₁₀ sources. For this reason, PM₁₀ samples will be collected on quartz filters and parts of quartz filters will be analysed for determination of elements, ions and carbon using different analytical techiques after gravimetric determination of PM₁₀ mass.

The proposed study will be the first for the Eastern Black Sea region in terms of the analysed parameters and obtained data as there is insufficient data on PM₁₀ source contributions, nature of PM₁₀ exceedances and the influence of forest fires. Furthermore, obtained data set will guide the local governments to set the priorities in pollution control strategies in the Eastern Black Sea region. Two master’s theses will be prepared from the data set obtained from this study and at least 2 articles in high impact journals will be published. The proposed study is planned as a preliminary project and depending on the obtained results future studies combining particulate matter and soil contamination along with health risk assessment can be proposed as further studies.