Assessment of Winter Season Air Quality in the Marmara Region Using GIS and Air Quality Data

Marmara Region, one of the 7 geographical regions of Turkey, serves as a bridge connecting Europe and Asia. It has a surface area of approximately 67 thousand km2. When considered as a population, it's determined that there're approximately 24 million in total. The reason for this density is that the region is a major industrial, commercial, agricultural, tourism region of Turkey. The urbanization rate in the region has increased due to employment opportunities. Consequently, there are significant environmental problems like urbanization, wastewater, solid waste and air pollution in the region. Air pollution is one of the environmental problems that makes itself felt in the region. Especially air pollution is seen at increasing rates in areas where there are intensive industry, traffic and settlement. In this study, air quality parameters of SO2 and PM10 in Marmara region during the winter season of 2015-2016 (1 October-31 March) was examined. The effects and distributions of these data on air quality have been examined with distribution maps generated by Geographic Information Systems. The data of pollutants were compared statistically and cities with low air quality were identified. The average pollution values for the winter season obtained in this study was compared with the Winter Season Limit Values in the Air Quality Assessment and Management Regulation No. 26898 dated 06.06.2008. According to the statistical results, the province with the highest concentration for SO2 pollutant was Edirne in 2015 and 2016. When the PM10 value was examined, Bursa had the highest concentration in 2015 and 2016.