The paper presents an investigation of aerosol seasonal variations in several urban–industrial regions in Ukraine. Our analysis of seasonal variations of optical and physical aerosol parameters is based on the sun-photometer 2008–2013 data from two urban ground-based AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork) sites in Ukraine (Kyiv, Lugansk) as well as on satellite POLDER instrument data for urban–industrial areas in Ukraine. We also analyzed the data from one AERONET site in Belarus (Minsk) in order to compare with the Ukrainian sites. Aerosol amount and optical depth (AOD) values in the atmosphere columns over the large urbanized areas like Kyiv and Minsk have maximum values in the spring (April–May) and late summer (August), whereas minimum values are observed in late autumn. The results show that fine-mode particles are most frequently detected during the spring and late summer seasons. The analysis of the seasonal AOD variations over the urban–industrial areas in the eastern and central parts of Ukraine according to both ground-based and POLDER data exhibits the similar traits. The seasonal variation similarity in the regions denotes the resemblance in basic aerosol sources that are closely related to properties of aerosol particles. The behavior of basic aerosol parameters in the western part of Ukraine is different from eastern and central regions and shows an earlier appearance of the spring and summer AOD maxima. Spectral single-scattering albedo, complex refractive index and size distribution of aerosol particles in the atmosphere column over Kyiv have different behavior for warm (April–October) and cold seasons. The seasonal features of fine and coarse aerosol particle behavior over the Kyiv site were analyzed. A prevailing influence of the fine-mode particles on the optical properties of the aerosol layer over the region has been established. The back-trajectory and cluster analysis techniques were applied to study the seasonal back trajectories and prevailing directions of the arrived air mass for the Kyiv and Minsk sites.

Within this survey we describe the conceptual architecture of the infrastructure to measure PM2.5/PM10 concentration in the atmosphere over the Kyiv city using modern monitoring instruments. We define the requirements for information tools and network for informing Kyiv city community on the state of PM pollutions that will be created. This infrastructure will provide long-term PM2.5/PM10 observations that could be included in the AirBase network. The comprehensive review of in-situ and satellite measurements of PM2.5/PM10 is provided as well as the description current state-of-the-art for Air Quality monitoring with intelligent sensors and systems in Ukraine as-awhole and in Kyiv in particular. It is proposed to apply the concept of essential variables (EVs) used in Earth Observation to identify the variables that should be measured in priority when designing, deploying and maintaining observation systems. In this study we use and validate the global air quality products from Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service obtained from modeling by GEOS-Chem model and other sources. The influence of PM and aerosols on a human health is estimated in terms of possible diseases and dangerous concentrations.

We use a global chemical transport model, GEOS–Chem (Goddard Earth Observing System – Chemistry model), to simulate the spatial and temporal distribution of atmospheric concentrations of specific aerosol types over the Belarus-Ukraine region for period 2010–2013. Results of the model simulation are evaluated with observations from Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sites. To provide accurate comparison, we convert simulated aerosol components concentration into coarse, fine, and total aerosol column volume concentrations taking into account the hygroscopic growth of particles. Model-predicted and remotely sensed aerosol volume concentrations are in reasonable agreement. Comparison of the GEOS–Chem model results to the spatial distribution of the aerosol sources of coarse- and fine-mode fractions for the region investigated shows correspondence in general for coarse mode but differences for fine mode.

A concentration-weighted trajectory method for aerosol source localization based on joint statistical analysis of aerosol column volume concentrations and back-trajectory data was used to estimate the spatial distribution of aerosol sources in the East-European region. The aerosol column volume concentration data measured at five AERONET network sites, Belsk, Minsk, Kyiv, Moldova/Kishinev, and Sevastopol, were used. The geographical areas responsible for increased aerosol content at the monitoring sites were mapped separately for coarse-mode and fine-mode aerosol fractions. The investigated area is located between 42° and 62° N in latitude and between 12° and 50° E in longitude. It was shown that the northeastern territories (in relation to the monitoring stations) give a small contribution to the coarse-mode aerosol content. The events of increased coarse-mode aerosol concentration have been caused by sources in the southeastern regions. On average, the air masses with a large content of coarse-mode aerosol particles were delivered to all stations from regions around Donetsk, Rostov-on-Don, and Kharkiv cities. The fine-mode aerosol fraction originated from areas of Tambov, Voronezh, and Kharkiv cities. The calculated aerosol source regions partly correspond to European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme data for eastern Europe. The cause of difference between calculated regions responsible for increased aerosol content at the monitoring sites and the sources of particle emission according to European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme data are discussed.

The spatial and temporal distributions of atmospheric aerosols have been simulated using the GEOS-Chem model over the sparsely investigated Eastern European region. The spatial distribution of the particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentration, mineral dust, black carbon, organic aerosols, sea salt, as well as nitrate, sulfate, and ammonium aerosols during 2016–2017 were considered. The aerosols’ concentration, seasonality and spatial features were determined for the region. Particulate matter (PM_2.5) contamination prevails in Poland in late autumn and winter. The monthly mean PM_2.5 concentration reached 55 µg m⁻³ over the Moscow region in the early spring of both years. The mineral dust concentration varied significantly, reaching 40 µg m⁻³ over the southwestern part of Eastern Europe in March 2016. The areas most polluted by black carbon aerosols were the central and southern parts of Poland in the winter. The organic aerosols’ concentration was the largest in March and April, reaching 10 µg m⁻³ over East Belarus. The sea salt aerosol concentration increased in the coastal regions in winter due to the wind strength. Mineral dust aerosols in Eastern Europe are mainly composed of dust, partially transported from the Ukrainian steppe and partially from the Saharan Desert.