Contribution of the Incinerator to the Inorganic Composition of the PM10 Collected in Turin

Temporal change and impact on air quality of an energy recovery plant using the M-BACI design in Gipuzkoa

A significant concern in our society is the potential impact on both health and the environment of air pollutants released during the incineration of waste. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct thorough control and monitoring measures. In this context, the objective of this research was to study the evolution of particulate matter (PM2.5) and associated trace elements during the period before and after the installation of an Energy Recovery Plant (ERP). For that, a descriptive and temporal analysis of PM2.5 concentration and composition were performed on two similar areas (impact/control) using the Before-After/Control-Impact (BACI) design and two periods (before from January 01, 2018 to February 06, 2020 and after from December 10, 2020 to September 30, 2022). Results showed a decrease in the levels of PM2.5 and associated trace elements is observed in the impact zone (IZ) and in the control zone (CZ) throughout the study period. In the case of PM2.5, the most notable decrease occurred in the period of the start-up of the ERP, a period that coincides with the confinement and restrictions of COVID, with a subsequent increase in both zones, without reaching the levels observed in the period prior to the start-up of the ERP. Selenium is the only trace element that increases significantly in the IZ. In conclusion, a decrease is observed for all pollutants except selenium in both zones, although less pronounced in the IZ. Since selenium already showed an upward trend in the phase prior to the start of the ERP, it is necessary to investigate its evolution and find out the possible cause.

Air Quality Impact Assessment of a Waste-to-Energy Plant: Modelling Results vs. Monitored Data

The impact of the emissions from a municipal Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plant in Northern Italy on local air quality was assessed using the CALMET-CALPUFF atmospheric dispersion modelling system. Model simulations were based on hourly emission rates measured by continuous stack monitoring systems and considered both air quality-regulated pollutants (nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, toxic elements, benzo(a)pyrene), and other trace pollutants typical of WtE plants (dioxins, furans, and mercury). The model results were compared to both long-term observations from the air quality monitoring network and with short-term measurements from dedicated monitoring campaigns in the vicinity of the WtE plant, in both warm and cold season conditions. Modelling and observational results showed that the estimated plant contributions are very limited. This suggests that the observed concentration levels were the result of the contribution of all the sources distributed over the area and that they were not solely driven by the activity of the plant. Estimated contributions from the plant’s emissions were usually at least two orders of magnitudes lower than the ambient levels at the nearest monitoring site and even lower at the farthest sites.

Chemical Characterization of Particulate Matter in the Renaissance City of Ferrara

Atmospheric aerosols are today a key issue in air pollution, mostly related to public health. Two test areas in Ferrara, one in the city center (urban location) and one in the industrial area (industrial location), were studied in June–July 2016 using the SEM technique to identify the environmental impact of some potential pollutant sources. Collection was performed using adhesive tapes applied on the surface of road signs, which allows to select particulate matter moving on air with diffusion movement and to exclude the particles usually deposed by the gravitational process. Dimensional characterization has shown that, usually, smaller particles tend to aggregate themselves in bigger polycrystalline particles with the geometric diameter of up to 10 μm. Micro-analytical data have revealed a wide heterogeneous range of compositions: more abundant silicate followed by carbonate, chlorine, sulphate, carbon, and organic. This preliminary study has highlighted that the Renaissance city of Ferrara is affected by an environmental problem linked to the presence of particulate matter induced by industrial activities, as is the case with some of the most polluted cities in the world. The observations and analytical data pointed out the need for further investigation to better define the features of the fine particulate matter. This will be useful to preserve the cultural heritage of this Medieval-Renaissance city.