Ecologists explain phenomenon of air's pollution with dust particles in Moldova

Chisinau, 4 September /MOLDPRES/ - The Environment Agency today came up with specifications on the phenomenon of air’s pollution with dust particles, noticed in Moldova on 3 September.  

According to data provided by the State Hydrometeorological Service (SHS), the air masses moved from the north-east direction, carrying to Moldova dust particles from the areas of desert Karakum, Central Asia. The strong wind favoured the laying down of these particles on the areas exposed.   

„As a result of this phenomenon, the concentrations of the suspension particles PM10 registered an insignificant increase, exceeding the limit values allowed at more stations of monitoring the air’s quality, but which for the moment do not pose danger for the residents’ health. Thus, at the automatic station from the Chisinau city, the concentrations of PM10 exceeded 1.4-fold the reference value and - 1.7-fold at the automatic station from the Mateuti settlement, northern Rezina district,’’ the Environment Agency said.    

Besides the transportation of dust particles from deserts’ areas, triggered by strong winds, it is also possible that the local weather conditions contribute to the increase in the concentration of pollutants in the air. On periods with high air temperatures and low humidity, as the one we are going through now, the emissions coming from the burning of fossil fuels, especially from the road traffic, can stay concentrated in the lower layers of the atmosphere, thus worsening the quality of air.        

SHS forecasts that, on 4 September, the advection of the cold air will contribute to the dispersion of the dust particles and the dilution of the atmospheric pollutants, which will reduce significantly and the air’s quality will improve.