Influence of meteorological conditions on the particulate matter immission and the shape of wastegases streaks in the heating season

The aim of the study was to analyze exhaust gas streaks emitted from emitters during the heating season in the city of Żywiec. The relationships between the shape of the streaks and the weather conditions (wind speed and direction, air temperature and humidity, atmospheric pressure, precipitation, dust concentration) were analyzed. The shape of the chimney streaks (streaks: looping, coning, fanning, lofting, fumigation) has a decisive influence on the quality of the atmospheric air in the vicinity of the emitters. The observations of the emitters were carried out for 92 days – at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., to separate the conditions existing before the satisfaction of social and living needs (morning hours) and at the time of satisfying them (evening hours). At the same time, data of the state of the atmosphere obtained from the Żywiec-Zabłocie air quality station and from two weather stations: ŻAR BSP Międzybrodzie Żywieckie and IMWM-PIB Radziechowy were recorded. The article presents the results of measurements of the state of the atmosphere and the observation of streaks. Data analysis showed a direct influence of weather conditions on the shape of the streaks and thus on the air quality. Analysis of the results showed that during periods of thermal inversion, there was an increase in the immission of particulate matter in the ground layer of the atmosphere. These conditions were often accompanied by pollutant or loop-shaped chimney streaks. Moreover, the increase in wind speed resulted in a decrease in the concentration of dust pollutants in a given area and contributed to the formation of ventilation streaks. During the observation of pollutant and loop-type chimney streaks, the immission of suspended dust increased significantly, which resulted in deterioration of air quality in Żywiec. Pol. J. Mater. Environ. Eng. June 2021, vol. 1(21), 26–37