A GIS GEOMORPHOLOGIC APPROACH FOR DEBRIS RISK ASSESSMENT: AN EXAMPLE IN SICILY (ITALY)

We present an analysis of modelled trends of PM₁₀, NO₂, and O₃ airborne concentrations over the Italian territory in 2003–2010. Our analysis shows a general downward simulated trend for all pollutants, with good agreement between observed and modelled values and the model widening both coverage and significance of air concentration trends. Due to the complex atmospheric dynamics, emission reductions do not always result in decreasing concentrations, especially for secondary pollutants.

The National Air Quality forecasting system FORAIR_IT may be considered a state of the art model, and as far as we know it is the first forecasting system at high spatial resolution proposed at Italian National level. FORAIR_IT may be a useful tool that the policy makers might use in order to apply extraordinary procedure to prevent/mitigate high levels of air pollution. Moreover general population might take advantage of FORAIR_IT to get used to the complexity of air quality issues.