The fire that broke out in Patras On August 12, he highlighted in the most intense way the need for immediate action, both in repair of damage and his environmentalas well as to consolidate the importance of climate adjustment in the city. Andreas Kazantzidis, professor and president of the Department of Physics of the University of Patras and Director of the Physics Laboratory of the atmosphere, points out speaking to the Athens -Macedonian News Agency that the destruction radically changes the data: “Things will not be the same from now on, because the fire has altered vegetation in the area and therefore the microclimate will change. Now, a new strategy is needed for the future of Patras climate. “.

Special atmospheric conditions in Patras

Patras is characterized by strongly microclimate phenomena and peculiarities in its meteorological profile. As Andreas Kazantzidis explains, “The geomorphology of the city, with its large mountain next to it and its arched development, creates a complex system of winds”. Thus, it is common to blow northeast wind on one side of the city while on the opposite southwest, forming a unique microclimate. This particularity also affects the distribution of air pollution and how emergency weather and environmental phenomena, such as large fires, evolve.

An indication was the double fire in West Achaia and Frequently: “In West Achaia it was blowing mild western – southwest wind that helped control the fire, while in the Bishop there was a northeast wind with about 5 beaufort, which brought the opposite results.”.

The ‘ether’ network and pollution monitoring

With the aim of systematically monitoring the particulates In the atmosphere of Patras, the Physics Laboratory of the University of Patras is using the “Ether” Measurement Network. Professor Kazantzidis explains that the network, in operation for the last nine years, provides critical data on gas pollution in the city, with a special emphasis on small suspended particles.

Concerning the evolution of this year’s fires, west tobacco from West Achaia did not directly affect Patras, as the direction of the wind was towards the Ionian Sea. On the contrary, the fire that started from the Communion influenced the urban complex almost as a whole. “The fire strongly influenced the areas from the Rio -Antirio Bridge and to the south, while in Rio the situation was a bit better, although the effects were generally significant for air quality.”.

It is noteworthy that in cases of emergency pollution, such as that of the days after fire, microparticles are recorded in three -digit micrograms per cubic meter of airwhen the security limit is 25 micrograms. “The stations of the ‘ether’ network are not next to the burnt areas, but have settled to record the impact on the whole city ‘says the professor.

The hardest day was Wednesday, August 13, when the fire broke out the night before in Diagena. The stations in the settlements and the Cretans, which were relatively close, recorded high pollution values. The situation appeared to be gradually improving since Thursday, August 14th.

In order to strengthen the monitoring network and to have a better picture of pollutants, new stations were added from August 19 Upper real and Anthoupoliwhile the installation of the station is also Roman.

Pollution levels and changes in atmospheric quality

From August 14 onwards, the Physics Laboratory of the atmosphere carried out sampling along the perimeter road of Patras, from the suburb to Ovrya. The findings showed that on August 14, 15 and 16 air quality It was degraded, especially in the egs, where appropriate atmospheric conditions are often recorded for pollutants. On August 17 and 18, there was a relative improvement due to a change in the direction of the wind, which headed the pollutants to the mountain and not in the city.

The new stations in Ano Diagena and Ano Anthoupoli have confirmed, in their first days of operation, increased levels of pollution in the morning and evening hours, but without alarming limits.

According to Kazantzidis, “It all depends on the species and intensity of the sources of pollution, whether they are active fires or changes in meteorological conditions that affect the dispersion of particles”.