Mapping of air pollutants within urban canyons of Alexandria city fabric

Human health and the environment are both threatened by increased air pollution, which is a major issue on the global agenda. Recognizing the importance of addressing this issue, the research field emphasizes the urgent need to improve air quality, serving not only to mitigate climate change but also to restrain emissions and protect public health. Focusing on the urban context in Egypt, characterized by high traffic density and vehicular emissions, the prevailing urban fabric contributes significantly to increased concentrations of pollutants. Despite this, there is a lack of monitoring of localized pollutant concentrations, which directly impacts the well-being of citizens. This research aims to measure, on a localized scale, and map the most critical pollutants, namely PM2.5, PM10, CO, and CO2, inside a representative urban canyon of Alexandria. Hence, it introduces a novel layer to the existing spatial database, offering a comprehensive understanding of air quality dynamics within this specific urban environment. The study employs measurement campaigns, which are conducted using a handheld portable smart air quality detector. The measured concentrations are subsequently compared against both local and international standards. The concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 are found to definitely exceed the international WHO ranges, while they sometimes exceed the limit values set by the EPA and the Egyptian ambient air quality standard. Whereas, the findings indicate that CO and CO2 exhibit no notable risks, with values largely falling within WHO limits. The study also delves into identifying and analyzing variables that have a significant influence on pollutant concentrations. The research findings affirm that seasonal variations and geospatial parameters distinctly influence the concentration levels of pollutants within urban canyons. Consequently, this study provides crucial insights for informed urban planning and environmental management strategies.