Application of a Gaussian dispersion model for assessing SO2 concentrations from major coal-fired power plants in the highly polluted industrial region of Türkiye

Authors : Gizem Tuna Tuygun

Pages : 146-164

Doi:10.7212/karaelmasfen.1583783

View : 57 | Download : 38

Publication Date : 2025-04-22

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :A significant amount of sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) emissions is released from large-scale lignite-fired thermal power plants, impacting air quality in various hotspot regions of Türkiye. Among these areas, Soma stands out because it possesses two power plants, with one being the nation’s oldest thermal facility lacking advanced desulfurization technology. This study employed the Gaussian dispersion model (AERMOD) to predict hourly SO2 concentrations for 2021 in a 50 km × 50 km area using local surface parameters from a reanalysis database instead of relying on the standard surface characteristics from AERSURFACE. The results showed that hourly concentrations exceeded 2148 times during the year at 311 receptors, which the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change set. Unlike hourly concentrations, the average daily, seasonal, and annual concentrations were below the limit values. Analysis of individual contributions from thermal power plants demonstrated that the highest SO2 concentrations primarily originated from the oldest plant. The prevailing wind direction in the region revealed that pollutant emissions most impacted the study area’s northern, eastern, and northeastern areas. Interestingly, the modeling results revealed that the thermal power plants did not substantially contribute to SO2 concentrations at the air quality monitoring station due to the meteorological and topographic conditions of the region. As a policy recommendation, it is essential to focus on broader regional monitoring strategies and comprehensive emission inventories to ensure effective environmental management and to address potential sources beyond the immediate vicinity of the power plant. In addition, further examination through correlation analyses brought to light that the topographical parameters influencing the dispersion of annual average SO2 concentrations exhibited distinct variations across regions, exerting varying degrees of the correlation coefficient.
Keywords : AERMOD, hava kalitesi, Soma, termik santraller, Türkiye

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