Analysis of the contribution to PM10 concentrations of the largest coal-fired power plant of Italy in four different sites

A source apportionment study was performed on PM10 samples collected in four sites nearby the largest Italian coal-fired power plant (SE Italy). A multi-model approach, based on integration of receptor (Positive Matrix Factorization - PMF, Chemical Mass Balance - CMB) and dispersion (CALPUFF) models, estimated the contribution of the power plant to primary PM10 and to secondary ammonium sulphate. Maximum PM10 daily concentrations were observed at all sites during winter period, with exceedances of the daily legislation threshold mainly due to biomass burning and road traffic. Chemical analysis explained about 55% of PM10 in the Brindisi area, 62% in the Lecce area. Eight PM sources were identified: crustal and power plant, resuspended dust, traffic, secondary ammonium sulphate, secondary nitrate, marine, biomass burning and harbour - industrial, with a reasonable comparability between receptor models outputs. Combining the information from receptor and dispersion models, the average contribution of the power plant to primary PM10 was 2% (+/- 1%) of PM10 for Lecce site and 3% (+/- 1%) as average of the three sites of Brindisi province. The contribution to secondary ammonium sulphate was ranging between 1.3% (+/- 0.3%) of PM10 and 1.7% (+/- 0.4%). These results were compared with those obtained using the same approach in the area close to Torrevaldaliga Nord (TVN) coal-fired power plant. Results indicate a lower primary contribution to PM10 of the TVN station, likely associated to lower PM emissions at the stack of TVN station and different heights of release, comparable contributions to secondary ammonium sulphate founded.

Automated summary

A source apportionment study was conducted on PM10 samples collected near the largest coal-fired power plant in Italy, showing that the contribution of the power plant to PM10 and ammonium sulphate was relatively low.