Graphic Yearbook 2013
V.2 AGGLOMERATION OF BRNO
The agglomeration of Brno is located in the centre of the
South Moravia region, it is identical with the administrative
territory of the city of Brno. As concerns ambient air quality,
Brno is one of three agglomerations and as such it is not
included in the South-eastern zone. The area of the
agglomeration is 230.22 km2 and the number of inhabitants is
384,277.
The limit values for the protection of human health are exceeded
in the long term in Brno, and namely for suspended particles
PM10 and PM2.5, benzo[a]pyrene and in the parts of the
agglomeration with heaviest traffic loads, also for NO2. The
area of the agglomeration territory with the exceedance of the
limit value for daily PM10 concentration may range from several
per cent (2008) to almost whole territory of the agglomeration
(2005) which depends mainly on meteorological conditions in the
cold part of the year (see below). Similar variability exists as
concerns the areas of the territory with the exceedance of the
limit value for benzo[a]pyrene, however due to very small number
of stations the highest uncertainty of defining may occur. As
concerns average annual concentrations of PM10, not a single
area with the exceedance of this limit value has been defined in
the territory of the Brno agglomeration since the year 2008. The
areas of the territory exceeding the limit value for the average
annual concentration of NO2 are constant in the long term (in
the order of several per cent) and are found near the most
loaded transport routes (Table V.2.1).
The greatest share in the increased concentrations of the above
pollutants is contributed primarily by traffic. Historically,
Brno is the city located on the crossroad of communications. The
important traffic communications intersect in the Brno territory
at present as well (highways D1 and D2, expressways R52 to
Vienna and R43 to Svitavy). Due to the still unfinished bypass
from D1 in direction to Svitavy the already high number of cars
in Brno is increased daily by transit traffic going through the
city centre. Anyway the transit traffic is not fluent due to the
unfinished Brno ring. All the above facts have their share in
the increased emissions from traffic – particularly total
suspended particles, nitrogen oxides, carbon moxide and
volatile organic compounds. All the above pollutants have their
majority source in emissions from traffic in the territory of
Brno agglomeration, and they significantly contribute to the
increased air pollution loads affecting the health of population.
It is no accident that the limit values are exceeded in the
pollutants with traffic as their majority source, and the
highest concentrations are measured in the localities with heavy
traffic loads.
V.2.1 Ambient air quality in the agglomeration of Brno
Suspended particles PM10 and PM2.5
In 2013 the limit value for the average annual PM10
concentration was not exceeded in any locality in the territory
of the agglomeration of Brno. The highest concentrations were,
as usual, measured in the localities with the highest traffic
loads, and namely Brno-střed and Brno-Svatoplukova; in the
previous years the limit value was exceeded several times (Fig.
V.2.1). In comparison with the year 2012 the average annual PM10
concentrations decreased in all urban localities, in the case of
the suburban stations Brno-Soběšice and Brno-Tuřany the levels
got worse in the order of several tenths. The worst air
pollution situation was confirmed at traffic stations where, in
average for the years 2006–2013, the concentrations were by 6.7
µg.m-3 higher than in the background localities (Fig. V.2.1). The situation at urban and suburban background stations is very
similar as at the regional rural background station
Mikulov-Sedlec in the years without long periods of unfavourable
dispersion conditions (2007–2009, 2012). On the contrary, in the
years when there occurred, mainly in the winter, the long-lasting
periods with the inversion character of the weather (January
2006, January 2010, February and November 2011), the effect of
the large accumulation of sources (household heating, traffic,
industry) and of stable atmosphere is apparent. It is manifested
by higher concentrations at urban background stations as against
the regional background station. In the long term (2005–2013)
the concentrations in urban and suburban background localities
are approx. by 4 µg.m-3 higher than in the regional background
locality Mikulov-Sedlec.
In addition to dispersion conditions and the heating season
there is another important factor, and namely wind erosion with
regard to the agricultural character of the landscape in the
whole South Moravia region. In this region wind erosion is a
potential threat to over 50 % of agricultural land area, while
13 % of this area ranks in the category of most endangered soils.
The worst situation is in the districts Břeclav, Hodonín and
Znojmo, but also in the surroundings of Brno there are soils
heavily endangered by wind erosion. Wind erosion occurs mainly
in the periods when there is not the vegetation cover yet or
when the vegetation cover is over (April, May and September,
October). The soil erodibility is strengthened by longer
episodes without precipitation and by wind velocity sufficient
for transporting the soil particles. The influence of wind
erosion is most apparent in the rural locality Kuchařovice where,
in the long term, the measured PM10 concentration in April is
the same as that in March (still within the heating season) and
in October it is higher than in November and December (Skeřil et
al. 2013;
Fig. V.2.2). The long-term data from the background
suburban station Brno-Tuřany showed that during the periods
without precipitation (at least 5 days without precipitation)
the average concentrations of PM10 are by 6.1 µg.m-3 higher than
the long-term average for this period (Konozová, Skeřil 2011).
As concerns PM2.5 particles measured in the agglomeration of
Brno territory, the limit value is exceeded in the long term
only in the localities with traffic loads (Fig. V.2.3); in background localities the limit value is exceeded or the levels
are close to the limit value only in the years with longer
episodes of unfavourable dispersion conditions (2006, 2010).
In 2013 the limit value for 24-hour PM10 concentration was
exceeded only in traffic localities, however not in all of them.
The localities Brno-Výstaviště, Brno-Kroftova and Brno-Úvoz (hot-spot)
did not exceed the limit value. The background locality Brno-Tuřany
did not exceed the limit value in the years without longer
episodes of unfavourable dispersion conditions (2007–2009,
2012–2013). In comparison with the previous year 2012, similarly
as in the case of average annual concentrations, both the
concentrations and the number of days with concentrations higher
than 50 µg.m-3 decreased in all types of localities (Fig.
V.2.4). There is one exception, and namely the locality
Brno-Svatoplukova with the heaviest traffic loads, where, in
spite of the insufficient amount of data for the calculation of
the annual average, the number of days with concentrations of
PM10 > 50 µg.m-3 increased from 55 to 72 days. It can be
concluded, that in spite of moderate improvement in other
localities, and in some cases the improvement was even more
marked (Brnostřed decrease from 66 to 48 days, Brno-Tuřany
decrease from 29 to 20 days), in the locality near the Židenice
military quarters the situation has got markedly worse. This is
caused by very heavy traffic loads and partly also by local
heating source (during inversions the plume from this source
falls straight on the station, the neighbouring public transport
stop and the road).
Traffic stations exceed the limit value in almost all cases
within the whole monitored period and thus confirm the main
problem as concerns the ambient air quality in the agglomeration
of Brno – excessive traffic loads. The situation is documented
very well by the graph in
Fig. V.2.6, depicting the trend of
hourly PM10 concentrations in the locality Brnostřed for the
period 2005–2013. Heavy traffic during the morning rush hour is
apparent very well, while the concentrations in the rush hour
during the weekdays are much higher than during the weekends.
The difference of concentrations between weekdays and weekends
is apparent mainly between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. – in the long term
the difference is approx. 10 µg.m-3.
Generally, the concentration levels are highly dependent on
meteorological/dispersion conditions during the winter season.
The negative influence of unfavourable dispersion conditions in
the winter period together with the heating season (residential
heating) is reflected also in the distribution of days with PM10
concentrations higher than 50 µg.m-3; such days occur mainly in
the cold part of the year. In this regard, in 2013 the months of
January and February were absolutely dominant, and as concerns
the end of the year, the number of exceedances was much lower
thanks to the warm winter 2013/2014 with above-the-average
temperatures (Fig. V.2.5). In other months the exceedance of the
concentration 50 µg.m-3 is rather exceptional, occurring at
traffic stations only. The highest number of exceedances of PM10
concentration for the calendar year 2013 was recorded in the
traffic locality Brno-Svatoplukova (72 days), the lowest number
in the suburban background locality Brno-Soběšice (12 days).
The development of concentrations since 1996 shows that there is
almost no difference between the agglomeration of Brno and the
agglomeration of Prague or the North-western zone. As concerns
average annual concentrations, the trends have almost identical
course and very similar concentration levels, which signifies
both the supra-regional influence of meteorological conditions
and similar impact. The Moravia-Silesia region is the only
exception due to the different type of load. The trend of the 36th
highest 24-hour PM10 concentration and the trend of the average
annual PM2.5 concentration have similar courses. In both cases
concentrations in the agglomeration of Brno are higher than in
the agglomeration of Prague, which can be caused first by
generally higher background of concentrations of suspended
particles in Moravia and also by higher share of traffic
stations in Brno.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
In the territory of the Brno agglomeration the limit value
for the average annual NO2 concentration is exceeded only in the
localities with the heaviest traffic loads. On the contrary, the
limit value for 1-hour concentration of NO2 is not exceeded. In
2013 the limit value was exceeded in the localities Brno-Úvoz (hot-spot)
and Brno-Svatoplukova similarly as in the previous year;
moreover, the concentrations increased approx. by 1 µg.m-3. All
the remaining localities recorded decreased concentrations in
comparison with the year 2012. The locality Brnostřed, which
exceeded the limit value regularly in the previous years
(2005–2011), did not exceed it in 2012 and 2013, however, the
measured concentrations were very close to the limit value (39.1
µg.m-3 and 38.9 µg.m-3 respectively). The long-term background
concentrations measured in the locality Brno-Tuřany reach the
levels around 20 µg.m-3 and in the recent years a downward trend
has been recorded; the average annual concentration in 2013
amounted to 17.4 µg.m-3 (Fig. V.2.7).
The trend of NO2 concentrations in the monitored period is
relatively stable at all stations. Unlike the particles, the
measured values are not so much influenced by meteorological
conditions, only the intensity of traffic is significant. In
this respect, however, nitrogen oxide (NO) is much more
significant; nevertheless, no limit value is set for this
pollutant. Graph in
Fig. V.2.6 depicts the long-term situation
(2005–2013) of hourly concentrations of NO in the locality
Brno-střed. The trends correspond very well with the
concentrations of PM10 particles in this locality. The
difference between weekdays and weekends is more marked there.
It can be stated that the high PM10, NO and NO2 concentrations
in the locality Brno-střed are caused mainly by traffic. Similar
situation can be expected in the locality Brno-Svatoplukova.
Although in selected localities in the agglomeration of Brno the
limit value for the average annual NO2 concentration is exceeded,
the total results for the agglomeration are very good; the
average values are approximately the same as the average for the
whole Czech Republic. The agglomeration of Brno has the best
results in the long term in comparison with the remaining
agglomerations. As concerns 1-hour concentrations, a significant
increase was recorded in certain years (2006, 2010). These are
the years with the marked deterioration of ambient air quality
in the cold part of the year due to unfavourable dispersion
conditions (2006) or due to the very long heating season (2010).
Still, the concentrations measured in the agglomeration of Brno
are again the lowest ones in the long term.
Benzo[a]pyrene
The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are represented in
legislation by benzo[a]pyrene – a carcinogenic substance formed
during the combustion of solid and liquid fuels. In the
territory of the Brno agglomeration PAH are measured in two
localities – in the city centre with traffic loads (Brno-Masná)
and in the background residential area (Brno-Líšeň). While the
traffic locality Brno-Masná exceeded the limit value every year
in the period 2008–2012, the concentrations in the locality
Brno-Líšeň have not been exceeded as yet. In 2013 the
concentration in the locality Brno-Masná dramatically decreased
to the level representing 70 % of the concentration measured in
the year 2012, the concentrations are even lower than in the
background locality Brno-Líšeň. With regard to significant
impact of traffic in the centre of Brno and concentration levels
of the previous years, the 2013 concentration is suspicious and
cannot be regarded as reliable (Fig. V.2.8). The daily data show
that especially in the first quarter of the year the
concentrations in the locality Brno-Masná reached from one half
to one third of the previous levels, in the warm part of the
year the concentrations were comparable, and in the last quarter
the concentrations measured in the locality Brno-Masná were
higher as those in the previous years. With regard to average
monthly concentrations the winter months are very important
again – while in summer the concentrations reach practically
zero values, in wither they move in the average even around 5 ng.m-3.
This is caused by meteorological conditions and also by higher
levels of the regional background. Residential heating is in
operation practically only during the heating season and, at the
same time, within the South Moravia region it ranks right after
traffic as concerns most important sources of particles to which
PAH are bound. The sector of residential heating increases
spatial background concentrations in the whole region during the
cold part of the year. In traffic localities even higher
concentrations are measured which is caused by traffic emissions.
The long-term development of concentrations in the agglomeration
of Brno, similarly as in the agglomeration of Prague or in the
North-western zone, shows the levels close to the limit value.
Generally, with regard to the long-term development in Brno, the
background localities record the levels below the limit value,
in the city centre with traffic loads the levels slightly
exceeding the limit value are recorded.
Ground-level ozone (O3)
The monitoring of ground-level ozone is carried out in two
localities in the agglomeration of Brno – background
concentrations are measured at the station Brno-Tuřany, and
ozone is also measured in the city centre influenced by traffic
loads at the station Brno-Zvonařka. Ozone is a highly reactive
molecule readily reacting with most substances in the air.
Therefore the highest concentrations of ground-level ozone are
measured in clean localities with low concentrations of other
pollutants. On the contrary, the most loaded (traffic)
localities measure the lowest concentrations of ground-level
ozone. Ozone reactivity is demonstrated also in the measured
concentrations in the territory of the Brno agglomeration. In
the year 2013 the level of 120 µg.m-3 was not exceeded at any
station. The 26th highest 8-hour running average measured in the
locality Brno-Zvonařka reached 102.5 µg.m-3, in the locality
Brno-Tuřany the 26th highest 8-hour running average reached
116.4 µg.m-3.
The long-term development of ground-level ozone concentrations
is dependent on meteorological conditions, particularly in
summer periods when maximum concentrations are reached, and the
agglomeration of Brno is no exception. The urban localities
reach lower concentrations than the rural localities, which is
evident also in the two above mentioned localities. In spite of
the fact that Brno-Tuřany is not a rural locality, the measured
concentrations are higher than in the city centre near Zvonařka
in the long term.
V.2.2 Emissions in the agglomeration of Brno
At present there are approx. 660 individually registered
plants – sources of ambient air pollution in the territory of
the agglomeration of Brno included in the REZZO 1 and REZZO 2
database. Only several dozens of them have their significant
contribution to total emissions, primarily thermal energy
sources, the incineration plant of communal waste and a small
part of plants of the formerly highly developed engineering
industry (mainly foundries). As concerns heating in households
and in the communal sector there prevail central sources of heat
energy (about 54 % of flats) and gas boiler stations and local
gas boilers (about 37 % of flats). Only in a small part of the
housing stock, primarily in the city outskirts, coal, wood and
coke are used for heating.
In the period from 2002 to 2012 the above mentioned significant
sources reduced all monitored emissions. As concerns TSP
emissions this decrease is connected with modernization, or with
the closure of some technological branches of production,
primarily foundries (e.g. Slévárna Zetor or Šmeral, a. s.).
According to the current data of the summary operational records
there is only one significant source of TSP emissions, and
namely Eligo, a. s., specialized in the production of dried milk
products, followed by foundries (primarily Královopolská foundry)
where, in addition to the reported TSP emissions, we can expect
also a certain share of hardly determinable fugitive emissions.
In SO2 emissions the most significant share (approx. 33 t.year-1)
is contributed by the incineration plant of communal waste SAKO
Brno, a. s. The marked decrease of emissions from heat supply
sources results from the reduced combustion of high sulphur fuel
oils and the subsequent transition to the only type of fuel, and
namely the natural gas.
The decrease of NOx emissions was reached, besides the gradual
modernization of heat supply sources, also by the shut down of
the TEDOM unit in the company ERDING, a. s. Brno-gas boiler
Kolejní, which produced more than 200 t.year-1.still in the year
2002.
V.2.3 Conclusion
As concerns ambient air quality, there is a major problem in
the agglomeration of Brno, and namely with traffic, or rather
with the presence of pollutants in the ambient air, caused in
the most part by traffic. With regard to the location of Brno as
the highway intersection including a high percentage of transit
traffic passing through the city centre, this problem will not
be probably solved in the near future. First, similarly as in
Prague, it will be necessary to invest in the construction of
bypasses (displacement of emissions out of the city centre and
their marked reduction as a result of smoother traffic flow) and
thereafter take further traffic and organizational measures
until the situation improves. The situation out of the city
centre is a little better, the exceedances of the limit values
in the background localities such as Brno-Líšeň, Brno-Soběšice
or Brno-Tuřany occur only in the years with longer periods with
unfavourable dispersion conditions.
The agglomeration of Brno does not meet the limit values as
concerns suspended particles (both PM10 and PM2.5), NO2 and
benzo[a]pyrene. All these pollutants are closely connected with
traffic in the agglomeration of Brno.
Other pollutants listed in the legislation comply with the limit
values. In case of sulphur dioxide (both daily and hourly limit
values), carbon moxide, lead, arsenic, cadmium and nickel the
concentrations even remain below the lower assessment threshold
in the long term. Benzene concentrations reach the levels close
above the lower assessment threshold.
Fig. V.2.1 Average annual PM10 concentrations in selected
localities and at individual types of stations, agglomeration of
Brno, 2006–2013
Fig. V.2.2 Average monthly PM10 concentrations, Kuchařovice, 2005–2013
Fig. V.2.3 Average annual PM2.5 concentrations, agglomeration of Brno, 2004–2013
Fig. V.2.4 Number of exceedances of 24-hour PM10 limit value
in selected localities and 36th highest 24-hour concentration of
PM10 at individual types of stations, agglomeration of Brno,
2006–2013
Fig. V.2.5 Number of days with concentrations of PM10 > 50 μg.m-3
in individual months, incl. total number of exceedances,
agglomeration of Brno, 2013
Fig. V.2.6 10 Trend of hourly PM10 and NO concentrations in the
locality Brno-střed, division into weekdays and weekends,
averages for the years 2005–2013
Fig. V.2.7 Average annual NO2 concentrations in selected
localities and at individual types of stations, agglomeration of
Brno, 2006–2013
Fig. V.2.8 Average annual benzo[a]pyrene concentrations,
agglomeration of Brno, 2006–2013
Fig. V.2.9 Field of the annual concentration of NO2, Brno
agglomeration, 2013
Fig. V.2.10 Field of the 36th highest 24-hour concentration of PM10, Brno agglomeration, 2013
