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A benchmark for numerical scheme validation of airborne particle exposure in street canyons

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 22, pages 2051–2063 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Measurements of particle concentrations and distributions in terms of number, surface area, and mass were performed simultaneously at eight sampling points within a symmetric street canyon of an Italian city. The aim was to obtain a useful benchmark for validation of wind tunnel experiments and numerical schemes: to this purpose, the influence of wind directions and speeds was considered. Particle number concentrations (PNCs) were higher on the leeward side than the windward side of the street canyon due to the wind vortex effect. Different vertical PNC profiles were observed between the two canyon sides depending on the wind direction and speed at roof level. A decrease in particle concentrations was observed with increasing rooftop wind speed, except for the coarse fraction indicating a possible particle resuspension due to the traffic and wind motion. This study confirms that particle concentration fields in urban street canyons are strongly influenced by traffic emissions and meteorological parameters, especially wind direction and speed.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, via Di Biasio 43, 03043, Cassino, Italy

    S. Marini, G. Buonanno & L. Stabile

  2. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    G. Buonanno

  3. D.I.P.I.A., INAIL Settore Ricerca, via Urbana 167, 00184, Rome, Italy

    P. Avino

Authors
  1. S. Marini
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  2. G. Buonanno
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  3. L. Stabile
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  4. P. Avino
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Buonanno.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Marini, S., Buonanno, G., Stabile, L. et al. A benchmark for numerical scheme validation of airborne particle exposure in street canyons. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 2051–2063 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3491-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3491-6

Keywords

  • Street canyon
  • Ultrafine particles
  • Numerical scheme validation
  • Urban area
  • Particle monitoring