Analysis of annual citizen odor observation records and its relationship with meteorological factors: Çorlu / Tekirdağ case study

Abstract

Odor pollution is a primary environmental problem and the most frequent public complaint. The emission levels of air pollutants, the distance of emission sources from residential areas, and topography and other geographical and meteorological conditions influence the level and intensity of air and odor pollution. Owing to the lack of standard management approaches, citizen survey studies supported by geographic information systems have become critical in collecting odor observation data in the immission site. In this study, FIDOL (frequency, intensity, duration, odor tone, and location) factor-based annual odor observation data were collected, using the Çorlu KODER mobile application. Statistical analysis determined whether meteorological factors affected the average daily number of odor observations (NOOs) throughout the year. Temperature was the meteorological factor with the most significant effect on the increase in average daily NOOs. Furthermore, it was determined whether the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model estimated the mixed layer height (MLH) and relative humidity (RH) parameters that significantly affected the average daily NOOs during August 2021–October 2021. This period was considered critical because over 80% of the annual NOOs occurred within this timeframe. MLH, RH, and MLH–RH significantly affected the average daily NOOs. Analysis using the Sturges classification revealed that odor observations were mainly intensified under low RH and MLH conditions. I In addition, the frequency of odor episodes increased under low MLH conditions. Seven consecutive odor episodes between August and October 2021 were further analyzed, considering the spatial and temporal distribution of odor observations, MLH and RH values, and back-trajectory findings. Analysis based on the air pollutant transport mechanism suggested that almost all of the odor episodes experienced in Çorlu within the study period were related to emissions from the organized industrial zone (OIZ) regions. The findings suggest that emissions from the OIZs located in the north-east and north of Çorlu have a more intense effect on odor observations in Çorlu residential areas. © 2023 Turkish National Committee for Air Pollution Research and Control