Nitrogen dioxide air pollution in Kaunas 2003–2007

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess nitrogen dioxide air pollution in Kaunas. We used a passive sampling method. Sampling was carried out in Kaunas during four different seasons in 2003–2007. Sampling was carried out in 62 measurement points of Kaunas city. According to measured concentration average seasonal and annual concentration of nitrogen dioxide was calculated. The study results showed that mean nitrogen dioxide concentration in Kaunas was 18,1μg/m3. The highest mean seasonal concentration was found in spring (20,1μg/m3), the lowest - in winter (16,5μg/m3). The highest nitrogen dioxide concentration was in Centras district (26,3μg/m3), lowest in Rokai - 11,4 μg/m3. Using ArcGIS program maps of nitrogen dioxide pollution distribution were plotted. Nitrogen dioxide pollution interpolation results revealed, that the highest pollution was in Centras, Žaliakalnis, Dainava districts, the lowest was found in areas where lower traffic flows and more green places.