CZECH AIR-QUALITY MONITORING AND RECEPTOR MODELING STUDY

An ongoing air quality monitoring program in the Czech Republic has pr ovided nearly continuous data for the concentrations of aerosol and ga s-phase pollutants since its inception in February 1992. In addition t o PM-2.5 concentrations, the concentrations of sulfate, organic carbon , elemental carbon, trace elements (Al-Pb), and polynuclear aromatic h ydrocarbons (PAHs) were also measured. Fine particulate matter (PM-2.5 ) was composed mainly of organic carbon and sulfate with smaller amoun ts of trace metals. Coarse particle mass concentrations were typically between 10 and 30% of PM-2.5 concentrations. The chemical composition of emissions from power plants, residential space heating, local fact ories, and motor vehicles was also characterized. The ambient monitori ng and source characterization data were then used in receptor modelin g calculations, the results of which indicate that residential space h eating and power plant emissions accounted for most of fine particle m ass concentrations observed during winter air pollution episodes. Moto r vehicles, incinerators, and wind blown dust contributed to the balan ce of the fine particle mass. Peak 24-h average TSP and SO2 concentrat ions (1100 and 800 mu g/m(3), respectively) obtained at the main monit oring site at Teplice in northern Bohemia during a severe air pollutio n episode in 1993 were within a factor of 2 of smoke and SO2 concentra tions (1800 and 1600 mu g/m(3)) measured in London during the smog epi sode of December 5-9, 1952. That pollution episode was thought to have contributed to a substantial increase in mortality.