Abstract Description: The Balkans have some of the worst air quality in Europe. Belgrade, the capital of Serbia can have particularly high levels of air pollution and is frequently ranked among the most polluted cities in the world, with Air Quality Index values up to five times the World Health Organization Guideline Value for particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5).
Belgrade’s air quality is worst in the winter months, which is often attributed to the practice of residents burning lignite to heat their homes. But in addition to that there are other large sources of air pollution in the Belgrade area, including two large coal-fired power plants, Nikola Tesla A and Nikola Tesla B, that are within about 20 miles of Belgrade. These two power plants have a combined capacity of more than 2700 MW.
This presentation will present an air quality modeling analysis to address the question of which source(s) are most responsible for Belgrade’s poor air quality. Details unique to a modeling analysis overseas will be discussed, including the development of the emissions inventory, the representation of various SO2 sources in the modeling, and the development of representative meteorological data. Along with the model results, caveats given the assumptions made during the analysis will be presented.
