International Journal of Biometeorology

, Volume 56, Issue 4, pp 737–747 | Cite as

Biometeorological and air quality assessment in an industrialized area of eastern Mediterranean: the Thriassion Plain, Greece

  • Anastasios Mavrakis
  • Anastasia Spanou
  • Katerina Pantavou
  • George Katavoutas
  • George Theoharatos
  • Anastasios Christides
  • Eleni Verouti
Original Paper
First Online:
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:

Abstract

Evidence that heat wave events are associated with poor air quality conditions and health hazards has become stronger in recent years. In this study, the impact of two heat wave episodes on human thermal discomfort and air quality is examined during summer 2007, in an industrial plain of eastern Mediterranean: the Thriassion Plain, Greece. For this purpose, two biometeorological indices—Discomfort Index (DI) and Heat Load (HL)—as well as an air quality index—Air Quality Stress Index (AQSI)—were calculated using data from seven measuring sites. A land-use map was procured in order to examine the effect of different land cover types on human thermal comfort. The results indicated high level of thermal discomfort and increased air pollution levels, while a significant correlation between the DI and the AQSI was identified.

Keywords

Thriassion Heat wave Air quality index Thermal comfort 
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Copyright information

© ISB 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Anastasios Mavrakis
    • 1
  • Anastasia Spanou
    • 1
  • Katerina Pantavou
    • 1
  • George Katavoutas
    • 1
  • George Theoharatos
    • 1
  • Anastasios Christides
    • 2
  • Eleni Verouti
    • 3
  1. 1.Department of Environmental Physics and Meteorology, Faculty of PhysicsUniversity of AthensAthensGreece
  2. 2.Bureau of Pollution Control and Environmental Quality of the Development Association of Thriassion PlainElefsisGreece
  3. 3.Bureau of Environment, Municipality of Aspropyrgos, Demokratias AvAspropyrgosGreece

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