Atmospheric Pollution Dynamics in South American Urban Areas
Summary
Urban centres across South America exhibit complex patterns of atmospheric pollution driven by rapid urbanisation, diverse emission sources and pronounced meteorological influences. Major contributors include vehicular exhaust, industrial activities, residential biomass burning and, in some regions, volcanic emissions. Topography and high‐altitude settings, such as those in La Paz and Bogotá, exacerbate pollutant accumulation by limiting dispersion and altering boundary layer dynamics. Seasonal biomass burning in savannah and forested regions injects substantial particulate matter into urban air sheds, while secondary aerosol formation further elevates fine particulate concentrations. Atmospheric circulation patterns and local wind regimes modulate pollutant transport both within and between urban areas, often leading to episodic pollution peaks. Recent policy measures and emission control technologies have yielded improvements in some megacities, yet population growth and increasing vehicle fleets continue to offset gains. Health impacts remain significant, with elevated morbidity and mortality linked to fine particulate exposure. Advances in high‐resolution modelling and emission inventories are enhancing understanding of spatiotemporal pollution trends and informing targeted mitigation strategies.
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Technical terms
Particulate matter (PM2.5): Fine aerosol particles with aerodynamic diameter under 2.5 µm, capable of deep respiratory penetration.
Planetary boundary layer: The lowest atmospheric layer influenced by surface friction and heat exchange, governing pollutant dispersion.
Secondary aerosols: Particles formed in the atmosphere from gaseous precursors via chemical reactions.
Lagrangian framework: A modelling approach that follows air parcels to assess pollutant transport and transformation.
Black carbon: Light‐absorbing carbonaceous aerosol emitted primarily by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass.
References
- Air pollution analysis in Northwestern South America: A new Lagrangian framework. The Science of The Total Environment (2023).
- Air quality modeling intercomparison and multiscale ensemble chain for Latin America. Geoscientific Model Development (2024).
- Black carbon emission and transport mechanisms to the free troposphere at the La Paz/El Alto (Bolivia) metropolitan area based on the Day of Census (2012). Atmospheric Environment (2018).
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