Sources, fate and dynamics of dispersion of aerosol particles in historic cities: the case of Perugia (Central Italy).

A comprehensive study of the natural (topography, meteorology, dust advections) and anthropogenic (road traffic) constraints of air pollution has been carried out in the historic city of Perugia. The preliminary results point to the main impact of local traffic through fine particle emission and coarse particle re-suspension. The influence of local meteorology and topography on the development of the planetary boundary layer upon the town is also well evidenced. Comparison between urban and regional background data points to the remarkable, though variable, contribution of Saharan dust to the total dust load. Finally, some impact of the mobile transport system on particle emissions is evidenced by significant amounts of heavy metal and organic species along the Minimetrò path.