Is wintertime air quality in Évora deteriorating as a consequence of the economical crisis in Portugal?

Abstract

The serious economical crisis that affects some European countries, among these Portugal, may be leading to the replacement of the conventional household heating methods by less expensive inefficient wood burning. This has already been demonstrated in Greece and may constitute a severe air quality problem in some regions in the cold periods of the year, due to the release of dangerous substances into the atmosphere. The study presented here aims at examining the black carbon data measured at the surface level in the city of Évora in order to analyze possible relations between levels of black carbon and solid biomass (wood) combustion used for domestic heating at a local scale. The preliminary analysis of the data of the autumn and winter seasons from 2007 to 2013 is presented in this article, as well as the possible following steps to be accomplished in the framework of an ongoing Degree Thesis Project.