Air Pollution Localisation Based on UAV Survey

Air pollution in settlements constitutes a rapidly increasing problem. As long as the size and consistence of the pollution in a given settlement are quantitatively unknown, effective counter-measures can not be taken. Air pollution is not static, in other words, it may greatly vary over time. Using this experimental method, the spatial and temporal distribution of a settlement's air pollutants, including their composition, can be exhibited. The components of the pollutants show the type of pollutant emission in a given area. As industrial emission or residential heating may be the source of pollutant emmision, or possibly pollutant emission by vehicles, measures to be taken ensuring protection or the decrease of the quantity of pollutants may vary depending on the nature of the sources. If the components of pollutants refer to features resulting from residential heating, then the solution must be found in the regulation of the materials used for heating. It is typical of very many -mainly economically underdeveloped-settlements that waste prohibited for residential heating, PET bottles, tires, rags, etc, are used. Demonstrating this fact quantitatively may serve as a basis for legal measures. In case of the signs of industrial pollution, naturally, enforcement or tightening technological parameters of the polluting factory will provide a result. As these actions pose a significant financial burden considering the given factory, their enforcement is only possible in possession of well-founded measurement results. Limiting vehicle traffic also has a socially acceptable result only if, based on the type of the pollution, the source can be clearly verified. The developed measurement process is capable of conducting accurate spatial and temporal measurements in possession of various polluting components. During the experiment, typically CO, CO2, NO, NO2, O2 and O3 measurements have been conducted. A spatial coordinate and a time stamp belongs to every measurement point. The results were processed offline following the surveys. The method is capable of archiving the pollution of a given period, as a result, it is possible to make statements concerning the given period and to possibly hold people accountable.