The Effect of Meteorology on Atmospheric Particulate Concentrations in Hamilton, Ontario

Abstract

<p> Ambient air pollution and pollution emitted from point sources, contribute to the total suspended particulate loadings measured at various monitoring stations, in any given area. Studies have shown that various meteorological variables may influence the concentration of particulates measured at these stations. 1989 data, from monitoring stations throughout Hamilton, Ontario, in conjunction with meteorological data from the Mount Hope airport, have been used to reveal, and to explain the aforementioned relationships. Results from graphical analysis, supports past findinqs from Stewart and Matheson (1967), Rouse and McCutcheon (1970), Dobroff (1990) and others, by showing that winds derived from a northern sector increase mean particulate loadings, and that wind speeds tend to be inversely related to measured particulate concentrations. In contrast to supporting findings from the graphical analysis, statistical ordinary least squares regression showed that for more stations than not, most parameter coefficients were not statistically significant. Results from the coefficient of determination show that none of regressions employed (linear, linear-log and log-log) could explain the relationship between the independent meteorological variables and the dependent variable (particulate concentration at a given monitoring site) with great precision. It follows that a non-linear correlation may well explain the dependence of particulate loading on wind speed, wind direction, mean temperature and total precipitation, and that source, (point and fugitive emissions), and other factors play important roles in this complex relationship.</p>