Spatial and temporal differences of Particulate Matter in Berlin

Particulate Matter (PM) is still a problem in urban areas. The concentration of PM in Berlin and its variability is the subject of this study based on data of six official PM10 monitoring stations and a measuring program carried out by the Institute of Geography covering PM2.5 and coarse PM measurements at 19 sites, distinguished between traffic related and urban background sites. The impact of weather conditions on PM levels was analysed using weather types after the Heb and Brezowsky classification. Highest PM levels were observed at traffic-related sites. However, the temporal variability of PM2.5 was more pronounced than the spatial variability, while the coarse PM (2.5-10 μm) was more influenced by the spatial conditions. The temporal variability of PM10 where more pronounced than the spatial variability.