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Methods of air quality assessment

Class at Faculty of Science |
MO550P44

Syllabus

The course should provide a survey of methods for the measurement of ambient concentrations of solid and gaseous pollutants and their further physicochemical characterisation. Besides thorough explanation underlying theoretical principles of the methods the emphasis will be put practical information on applicability, advantages and limitations of the particular procedures. Seminar supplementing the course is focused on performing practical calculations in the field, use of ideal gas equation, conversion of units, correction for standard conditions etc. The use of relevant equipment will be also demonstrated.

Some topics covered by the course: terminology and the method's classification, measurement of gaseous pollutants; classic aspiration methods; components of sampling train; underlying physicochemical principles of monitoring systems; remote sensing of pollutants; lidar systems, passive (diffusive) sampling; sensory air quality assessment; principles of particulate matter separation; mass segregation of air particles; physical, chemical and crystallographic characterization of aerosol particles; continuous monitoring of concentration and size spectrum of particulate matter; destructive and non-destructive techniques of chemical analysis of aerosols on filters; principal methods of measurements of selected atmospheric pollutants (SO2 , NOx , CO, O3, volatile org. matter etc.), instrument's calibration.

The course is a compilation of the wide range of material from different sources and undergo frequent updating and therefore no comprehensive text covering the whole course is available. However, the participants receive the copies of all transparencies used in the lectures.