ANALYSIS OF CLIMATOLOGICAL AND AIR-QUALITY OBSERVATIONS FROM GREATER ATHENS AREA

In this paper, the climatological and air quality observations obtaine d for the periods 1974-1990 and 1983-1990, respectively, in the Greate r Athens Area, are analyzed. During this period, 80 air pollution epis odes, which lasted 210 d in total were detected. The analysis of the o bservations allows the interpretation of air quality characteristics i n terms of the climatological and meteorological factors. The importan ce of some characteristic indices for air pollutant dispersion conditi ons, such as mixing height, ventilation coefficient, temperature at 85 0 hPa, and temperature inversions, is discussed. The results show that the air quality in the Athens Basin is strongly affected by the meteo rological conditions, especially those which are in favor of local cir culations. The worst air pollution episodes are associated with anticy clonic conditions and/or advection of warm air masses.