Spatiotemporal Distribution and Evolution of Air Pollutants Based on Comparative Analysis of Long-Term Monitoring Data and Snow Samples in Petroșani Mountain Depression, Romania

Air quality is an essential factor for human health and ecosystem balance, but in regions like Petroșani Mountain Depression, air pollution continues to be a significant challenge. This area, marked by decades of coal mining, is confronted with high concentrations of pollutants, influenced by human activities and the specific geography and climate. This study aims to compare instrumental air quality measurements with snow sample analysis, as a sustainable alternative method. Specifically, it examines the spatiotemporal distribution and evolution of air pollutants, utilizing long-term monitoring data and an extensive sampling network (42 points) for both air and snow, to provide a thorough understanding of air quality dynamics in the area. The experimental part of this study focused on determining VOCs and PM in the air, and dissolved ions (sulfate, calcium, and magnesium) and suspended solids in snow. The results highlight significant correlations between pollution sources and atmospheric dynamics in mountain depressions, while also analyzing the efficiency of the instruments used for data collection. This study emphasizes that, although instrumental methods provide precise and detailed measurements, their implementation in isolated regions presents significant challenges. Therefore, alternative approaches such as snow analysis can represent a more efficient and sustainable option in these regions.