5:15 PM - 6:45 PM
[ACG42-P04] Impact of local waste burning at Qaanaaq, Northwestern Greenland, on PM2.5 and its possible depositions to the surrounding areas
Keywords:Arctic, PM2.5, air pollution, aerosol, Greenland, open waste burning
The study focuses on the crucial link between air pollution and people living there in the Arctic environment. To address this, a novel, cost-effective PM2.5 monitoring system, suitable for extreme cold regions, was developed by our research group [1], incorporating a sensor created by Nagoya University and Panasonic Co., Ltd. [2]. The commercial product of the system is now marketed by Tanaka Co., Ltd. (http://kktanaka.co.jp/products). In the summer of 2022, this system was deployed in Qaanaaq, Northwestern Greenland, to track air quality for a short period, focusing on PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm). From July 20 to August 13, 2022, we obtained the measurement data and converted it to PM2.5 by multiplying a 1.3 coefficient by the raw data based on Nakayama et al.'s method [2]. The results showed significant PM2.5 spikes several times, exceeding 25 μm m-3, with a peak over 100 μm m-3. Notably, from August 8, smoke from local open waste burning was visibly observed, contributing to the continuous elevated PM2.5 levels.
In addition to the measurement data, our analysis, grounded in using NASA MERRA-2 and the NOAA HSPLIT backward trajectory analysis, clarified the characteristics of the PM2.5 origins. Early in our observation period, there was a slight indication of biomass-burning effects originating outside Greenland. In addition, the 3-day backward trajectories for the top five high PM2.5 concentrations originate from inland Greenland and the nearby sea area. Those results led us to conclude that the continuous increases in PM2.5 levels from August 8 were primarily due to local sources, namely, the smoke from the open waste burning in Qaanaaq, which was also visually confirmed. Further, employing NOAA's HYSPLIT forward dispersion analysis, we gleaned insights into the possible particulate depositions after the PM2.5 emissions. Our findings suggest that the PM2.5 particles from the open waste burning episodes also likely settled in the waters near Greenland.
In summary, our study highlights the significant impact of open waste burning on the local air quality in Greenland. This local influence contrasts with the minimal transboundary pollution effects during our observation period, offering a unique perspective on environmental challenges faced in the Arctic region.
References
[1] Yasunari, T. J., S. Wakabayashi, Y. Matsumi, and S. Matoba, Developing an insulation box with automatic temperature control for PM2.5 measurements in cold regions, J. Environ. Manage., 311, 114784 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114784
[2] Nakayama, T., Y. Matsumi, K. Kawahito, and Y. Watabe, Development and evaluation of a palm-sized optical PM2.5 sensor, Aerosol Sci. Technol., 52, 2-12 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2017.1375078
In addition to the measurement data, our analysis, grounded in using NASA MERRA-2 and the NOAA HSPLIT backward trajectory analysis, clarified the characteristics of the PM2.5 origins. Early in our observation period, there was a slight indication of biomass-burning effects originating outside Greenland. In addition, the 3-day backward trajectories for the top five high PM2.5 concentrations originate from inland Greenland and the nearby sea area. Those results led us to conclude that the continuous increases in PM2.5 levels from August 8 were primarily due to local sources, namely, the smoke from the open waste burning in Qaanaaq, which was also visually confirmed. Further, employing NOAA's HYSPLIT forward dispersion analysis, we gleaned insights into the possible particulate depositions after the PM2.5 emissions. Our findings suggest that the PM2.5 particles from the open waste burning episodes also likely settled in the waters near Greenland.
In summary, our study highlights the significant impact of open waste burning on the local air quality in Greenland. This local influence contrasts with the minimal transboundary pollution effects during our observation period, offering a unique perspective on environmental challenges faced in the Arctic region.
References
[1] Yasunari, T. J., S. Wakabayashi, Y. Matsumi, and S. Matoba, Developing an insulation box with automatic temperature control for PM2.5 measurements in cold regions, J. Environ. Manage., 311, 114784 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114784
[2] Nakayama, T., Y. Matsumi, K. Kawahito, and Y. Watabe, Development and evaluation of a palm-sized optical PM2.5 sensor, Aerosol Sci. Technol., 52, 2-12 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2017.1375078