Combined evaluations of meteorological parameters, traffic noise and air pollution in an Alpine valley

Heimann, Dietrich; Schäfer, Klaus; Emeis, Stefan; Suppan, P.; Obleitner, Friedrich; Uhrner, Ulrich · 2010 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1127/0941-2948/2010/0426

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Summary

This study investigates the meteorological influences on the transport and dispersion of air pollutants and the propagation of traffic noise within the Austrian Inn valley, a densely populated Alpine region. The research is motivated by the significant environmental nuisances caused by air pollution and noise in major Alpine valleys, where limited transport infrastructure concentrates emissions and topography exacerbates their impact on local populations. The authors aim to quantify how meteorological conditions affect the relationship between emissions from motorways and the resulting immissions (ambient concentrations and noise levels) at specific receptor sites. The experimental design involved concurrent measurements conducted over a consecutive 166-hour period (approximately one week). Data were collected from two distinct locations: a site at the valley bottom (Schwaz) and an elevated slope position (Arzberg). The study monitored meteorological parameters, traffic flow, vehicle composition, nitrogen oxide (NOx) concentrations, and noise levels. Traffic data were sourced from counting stations on the A12 motorway and B171 federal road. The analysis focused on determining the extent to which variations in observed pollution and noise could be attributed to varying emission rates versus meteorological transmission effects. The results indicate that only a small portion of the observed variations in air and noise pollution at the two sites can be explained by changes in motorway emissions alone. This is due to complex transmission effects inherent to the valley environment. However, the study demonstrates that incorporating simple models with just one or two meteorological parameters substantially increases the explanatory power for these variations. The vertical temperature gradient emerged as the critical meteorological key parameter. This gradient controls the mixing volume, which is confined by the valley sides and the mixing-layer height, thereby determining the dispersion of air pollutants. Simultaneously, the vertical temperature gradient governs sound wave refraction, which strongly influences noise levels. The significance of this work lies in its demonstration that meteorological factors, particularly the vertical temperature gradient, are dominant drivers of pollutant and noise distribution in Alpine valleys, often outweighing the direct influence of emission variability. By identifying this key parameter, the study provides a framework for better understanding and predicting environmental impacts in complex topographies. This insight is crucial for assessing cumulative effects on health and well-being and for developing effective mitigation strategies in regions where transport infrastructure is constrained by geography. The findings underscore the necessity of integrating meteorological data into environmental assessments to accurately explain and manage air quality and noise pollution in valley settings.

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