Air Pollutants in an Intermediate City: Variability and Interactions with Weather and Anthropogenic Elements in Bahía Blanca, Argentina

Abstract

We analyzed the temporal variability of air pollutants in Bahía Blanca and their relationship with anthropogenic elements and weather conditions in the urban atmosphere for the period 2010–2017. We used public access official data of pollutants (CO, NOX, SO2, O3 and PM10) and weather elements. Pollutants were analyzed considering air quality regulations, human activity cycles, and atmospheric processes and weather elements at different scales. The obtained results highlight the relation between air pollutants and climate processes at zonal, regional and local scales. The analysis included the study of foreign sources of pollution, such as volcanic eruptions with global effects, which affect the urban air quality related to zonal atmospheric circulation (westerly winds). The study underlines the interest for South America of the strong winds and dust storms related with high PM10 concentrations. Dust storms are associated with droughts, wind erosion processes and soil desertification, a problem linked to the global climate change process and unsustainable policies for the use and management of soils. For all this, the paper underlines the multicausality or air pollution in urban atmospheres and highlights the importance of comprehensive solutions in terms of sustainable development, mitigation policies and adaptation to global climate change. Highlights • Air pollution is linked with atmospheric processes and human activities. • Zonal, regional and local climate processes influence air quality. • Lithometeors affect the concentration of pollutants in the city.