Variability of PM10 concentrations dependent on meteorological conditions

The influence of atmospheric exchange conditions on near-surface PM10 concentrations is analysed for four cities in the South-West of Germany in the period from 2001 to 2005. For each city, the PM10 data originates from roadside stations and Urban Background (UB) stations, that is, two types of official urban air quality monitoring stations characterised by different emission situations. The atmospheric exchange conditions are represented by solar radiation, air temperature, wind speed, mixing-layer height, precipitation and backward-trajectories. The results of the statistical analysis indicate that precipitation and mixing-layer height are the meteorological variables influencing near-surface PM10 concentrations most significant within cities. The absence of precipitation and low values of the mixing-layer height lead to comparatively high PM10 levels, particularly in winter.