Temporal change and impact on air quality of an energy recovery plant using the M-BACI design in Gipuzkoa

Abstract

A significant concern in our society is the potential impact on both health and the environment of air pollutants released during the incineration of waste. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct thorough control and monitoring measures. In this context, the objective of this research was to study the evolution of particulate matter (PM2.5) and associated trace elements during the period before and after the installation of an Energy Recovery Plant (ERP). For that, a descriptive and temporal analysis of PM2.5 concentration and composition were performed on two similar areas (impact/control) using the Before-After/Control-Impact (BACI) design and two periods (before from January 01, 2018 to February 06, 2020 and after from December 10, 2020 to September 30, 2022). Results showed a decrease in the levels of PM2.5 and associated trace elements is observed in the impact zone (IZ) and in the control zone (CZ) throughout the study period. In the case of PM2.5, the most notable decrease occurred in the period of the start-up of the ERP, a period that coincides with the confinement and restrictions of COVID, with a subsequent increase in both zones, without reaching the levels observed in the period prior to the start-up of the ERP. Selenium is the only trace element that increases significantly in the IZ. In conclusion, a decrease is observed for all pollutants except selenium in both zones, although less pronounced in the IZ. Since selenium already showed an upward trend in the phase prior to the start of the ERP, it is necessary to investigate its evolution and find out the possible cause.