Particulate Matter Concentrations: Urban versus Suburban Areas of Vlora, Albania

Particulate matter is of great environmental concern because of its influence on air quality. The objective of this study was to compare particulate matter concentrations in urban and suburban areas in the city of Vlora, Albania. Measurements were carried out using the optical particle analyzer EDM 107 during the winter months of November and December 2014. Twenty-four-hour average concentrations of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 were calculated using in situ measurements made every 6 minutes. PM10 concentrations in urban sites exceeded the limit value of 50 mu g/m(-3), showing high pollution levels of atmospheric particulates. Averaging daily and hourly concentrations over monitoring areas, we realized that coarse fractions were significantly higher and showed greater temporal variability in urban than in suburban areas. Otherwise, fine fraction PM1 and PM2.5 showed relatively similar values and less fluctuation. Fine particles are easily distributed by winds and transported over long distances from the inner part of the city and landfills close to the suburban site. Coarse fraction mass concentrations (PM10-2.5) were lowest during midday and midnight hours and peaked in the morning and early evening hours, reflecting the behavior of habitants.