Statistical analysis of the temporal change of PM10 levels in the city of Sivas (Turkey)
Abstract
Abstract
The objective of this study is to statistically examine the variation of PM10 values measured at three stations in the center of
Sivas between the years 2016 and 2020. Hourly PM10 measurement values were taken from three different stations (İstasyon
Kavşağı, Meteoroloji, and Başöğretmen AQMSs) in the city center. Then the mean values of the measurements obtained
between 2016 and 2020 were compared according to the years and the stations, as well as with the limit values given in
the Regulation on Air Quality Assessment and Management(RAQAM). Analyses of variance were conducted to determine
any differences between PM10 levels and 24-h limit values of PM10 for Turkey and between PM10 values of stations over
the years. Considering the 5-year mean values, the mean value of all PM10 concentrations measured in the city center was
calculated as 56.36 μg/m3. No statistical difference was found between the PM10 values measured in 2017 and 2018 at the
İstasyon Kavşağı AQMS, and the comparisons of PM10 between stations over the years showed no difference between the
Meteoroloji AQMS and the Başöğretmen AQMS in 2019 and 2020. The Spearman’s rank-order correlation results of PM10
over the years among the stations in the city showed that the strongest relationship was a moderate one between the years
2019 and 2020 with regard to the İstasyon Kavşağı AQMS. Probable dust transports were examined for the days when PM10
was at its highest, and the conclusion was that desert dust coming from the continent of Africa (south) to the center of Sivas
had been effective.