Classification of circulation types for Southern Poland with an application to air pollution concentration in Upper Silesia

The study presents the influence of synoptic situations on the level of air pollution in Upper Silesia. For this purpose, the calendar of circulation types for Southern Poland by T. Niedzwiedz was applied. Upper Silesia is the most urbanized and industrialized region in Poland. For this reason. it is one of the regions with the highest atmospheric pollution. Local meteorological and circulation conditions significantly influence the pollution level. The present research of thermal and pollution structure of near-ground atmospheric layer was conducted at nine points, representing both city and suburban areas, located within the Upper Silesia region. The study integrated measured results of temperature and selected air pollution indices (PM10, SO2, NO2, O-3). In the Upper Silesia region, the allowable limits of atmospheric pollution concentrations are mostly exceeded during anticyclone circulation. Under these conditions, we can observe that the increase in pollution level is two-to-three times higher, especially with PM10 and SO2. Intensification of this phenomenon is mostly visible in autumn, winter and early spring. As soon as atmospheric circulation becomes cyclonic, the pollution level visibly decreases. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.