Spatial assessment of air pollution due to mining and industrial activities: a case study of Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine

Abstract

Abstract Air pollution has remained a primary concern over the last decades. Respirable particulate matters (PM) PM2.5 and PM10 are the main atmospheric pollutants that have an adverse effect on human health. This study aimed to examine the air quality of Kryvyi Rih region through the spatial assessment by means of Ordinary Kriging. The study region has a major iron ore basin with several open cast mining operations and industrial activities, which are mainly contribute to the environmental issues. For the study, 10 monitoring stations were chosen located around the main residential and industrial areas of the city. The results showed that industrial plants were the largest sources of PM emissions. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) of PM2.5 and PM10 for the observed period obtained from the station located in close vicinity to the industrial plants were 170 and 89 respectively. Additionally, the 48 hours of PM dynamics were graphically analysed. It was found that PM reaches a peak primary between 12 AM and 12 PM before falling a little between 12 PM and 12 AM.