Diante da crise ambiental que se impõe à sociedade contemporânea, trazendo consigo um sentido de urgência por mudanças de rumo e das visões de mundo, a mídia tem um papel importante na mediação de sentidos no processo de construção social dos problemas ambientais. A pesquisa apresenta o resultado de um diagnóstico sobre como os jornais Folha de S.Paulo e O Estado de S.Paulo cobriram o tema poluição do solo por resíduos, no Brasil, ao longo de 15 anos, no período compreendido entre o ano da Rio-92 e 2007. Diversas perguntas nortearam o trabalho. Está a imprensa preparada para cumprir a sua função e contribuir para que diferentes atores sociais estejam aptos para posicionar-se frente a tamanhos desafios? A pluralidade das fontes e a visão sistêmica e transversal preconizadas pelo jornalismo ambiental estão presentes nas redações? Quais são as vozes predominantes na cobertura ambiental? Como elas aparecem? Essas são algumas das discussões propostas por este estudo. Entre os resultados, verificou-se, por exemplo, que a cobertura ambiental ainda está baseada, prioritariamente, em fontes oficiais presentes em 93,4% dos textos analisados. A maior parte deles ainda traz uma abordagem desconexa, pontual e alarmista sobre o tema, presa a uma visão reducionista da realidade, buscando emoldurar histórias e encaixar nelas papéis de vilões e mocinhos, justiceiros e vítimas. Embora o volume de textos sobre meio ambiente seja maior na atualidade do que no passado e exista maior número de reportagens contextualizadas, isso ainda é a exceção, e não a regra nas redações. A qualidade está mais associada a iniciativas individuais de profissionais do que a decisões institucionais de grupos de comunicação. Frente às complexidades e incertezas da sociedade de risco, cientistas e jornalistas entrevistados neste estudo refletiram sobre caminhos possíveis para a cobertura jornalística sobre meio ambiente. Apontaram, por exemplo, a aproximação e o melhor entendimento entre jornalistas e cientistas como fatores importantes para a qualificação do debate ambiental mediado pela imprensa no Brasil. / Faced by the environmental crisis, which is imposing itself on contemporary society and is bringing in its wake a sense of urgency for changes in the course and in the views of the world, the media is having an important role in mediating senses in the process for building up social awareness of environmental problems. The research presents results of a diagnosis on how two major newspapers in Brazil Folha de S.Paulo and O Estado de S.Paulo covered the issue of soil pollution by residues during 15 years, between the Rio-92 and 2007. Many questions were raised to guide this work. Is the press prepared to accomplish its function and contribute towards having the several different social players prepared to position themselves to face such great challenges? Are the diversity of sources and the systemic and transversal vision - foreseen by environmental journalism taken into account by the newsrooms? Whose are the predominant voices in the environmental coverage? How do they appear? These are some of the discussions which are being proposed by this study. Among the findings, it was verified for example that environmental coverage is still mostly based on official sources - present in 93.4% of the texts analyzed. The greater part of them even bring approaches that are disconnected, limited and alarmist about the matter, tied up by a reductionist vision of the actuality, seeking to embellish the stories and make them fit into the roles of villains and heroes; sheriff and victims. Although the volume of texts on environment is currently greater than in the past and that there is a greater amount of contextualized reporting, this is still an exception and not the rule at the newsrooms. Quality is closely associated to the individual initiatives of the professionals, rather than to institutional decisions. Having in view the complexities and uncertainties of the risk society, the scientists and journalists who were interviewed for this study made reflections on the possible ways for journalistic coverage of environmental issues. They pointed out, for instance, the narrowing of the gap and the better understanding between journalists and scientists as being important factors for the quality of the environmental debate that is mediated by the press in Brazil.

O Estuário de Santos - São Vicente é uma região degradada por contaminantes liberados diretamente pelo seu parque industrial no ar, na água e no solo da região, é considerado o exemplo mais importante de degradação ambiental por produtos químicos provenientes de fontes industriais. Existe uma grande associação entre doenças cardiovasculares, principalmente a hipertensão arterial, e a exposição ambiental a esses contaminantes presentes nas áreas, o que gera uma preocupação pois nestas áreas residem um grande número de pessoas expostas a estes contaminantes por um longo período de tempo. No Brasil existe uma grande prevalência de mortes por doenças cardiovasculares, dentre elas a hipertensão. A prevalência de hipertensão no Brasil é de aproximadamente 20%. Objetivo: avaliar a prevalência de hipertensão arterial e seus fatores de risco na população deste estudo. Métodos: Um estudo transversal realizado para avaliar a prevalência da hipertensão em indivíduos com idade entre 19 e 60 anos, bem como fatores de risco para esta doença, em quatro áreas contaminadas localizadas no Estuário (área 1 - Pilões e Água Fria; 2 - Cubatão; área 3 - São Vicente e área 4 - Vicente de Carvalho - Guarujá) e uma área fora do Estuário (área 5 - Bertioga). As associações entre as variáveis categóricas foram testadas através do teste do quiquadrado de Pearson incorporando a correção de Yates ou o teste exato de Fisher. Modelos univariados e múltiplos de regressão logística foram aplicados para avaliar os fatores de risco para a hipertensão. Resultados: A maior prevalência de hipertensão foi encontrada na Área 3 - São Vicente (28,4%), e a maior parte da população relatou morar na região por mais de 20 anos. Os fatores de risco para hipertensão arterial foram: morar nas áreas 2 - Cubatão (OR: 1,3; IC95%: 1,0-1,6) e na área 3 - São Vicente (OR: 1,4; IC95%: 1,1-1,8); ser analfabeto (OR: 1,9; IC95%: 1,1-3,2); morar na região há mais de 20 anos (OR: 1,2; IC95%: 1,0-1,5); faixa etária entre 36-60 anos (OR: 3,9; IC95%: 3.3- 4.6) e exposição ocupacional pregressa a produtos químicos (OR: 1,3; IC95%: 1,1-1,6). Conclusão: Duas décadas após o ápice da contaminação ambiental na região ainda é possível identificar tanto a presença dos contaminantes quanto seus efeitos adversos sobre a população residente nas áreas analisadas. Os resultados indicaram que morar em áreas contaminadas, principalmente por um longo período de tempo, é fator de risco para a hipertensão / The Estuary of Santos - São Vicente is an area degraded by contaminants emitted directly by its industrial park to air, water and soil of the region, and is considered the most important example of environmental degradation by chemicals from industrial sources. There is a strong association between cardiovascular diseases, especially hypertension, and environmental exposure to these contaminants in areas, which It generates a concern since these areas live a large number of people exposed to such contaminants for a long time. In Brazil there is a high prevalence of deaths from cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension in Brazil is approximately 20%. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors in the study population. Methods: A cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension in individuals aged between 19 and 60 years, as well as risk factors for this disease in four contaminated areas located in the Estuary (area 1 - Pilões e Água Fria; 2 - Cubatao; Area 3 - São Vicente and area 4 - Vicente de Carvalho - Guaruja) and an area outside Estuary (area 5 - Bertioga). The associations between categorical variables were tested by Pearson\'s chi-square incorporating Yates\' correction or Fisher\'s exact test. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the risk factors for hypertension. Results: The highest prevalence of hypertension was found in Area 3 - São Vicente (28.4%), and most of the population reported living in the region for over 20 years. Risk factors for hypertension were: living in Areas 2 - Cubatao (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.0-1.6) and the area 3 - São Vicente (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1 , 1 to 1.8); being illiterate (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1 to 3.2); living in the region for over 20 years (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0-1.5); aged between 36-60 years (OR: 3.9; 95% CI: 3.3- 4.6) and previous occupational exposure to chemicals (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1-1.6). Conclusion: Two decades after the culmination of environmental pollution in the region is still possible to identify both the presence of contaminants as their adverse effects on the resident population in the analyzed areas. The results indicated that live in contaminated areas, particularly over a long period of time, is a risk factor for hypertension

Introdução: O Estuário de Santos e São Vicente está contaminado com metais pesados, compostos organoclorados, dioxinas e furanos. Estudos epidemiológicos evidenciam que fetos são mais susceptíveis às substâncias tóxicas que adultos. Este trabalho avaliou a ocorrência de eventos relacionados à gestação em áreas contaminadas e não contaminada na região estuarina. Métodos: Estudo transversal onde foram analisados dados do SINASC entre 2003 e 2007 nos municípios de São Vicente, Guarujá, Cubatão e Bertioga. Foram calculadas as taxas bruta de natalidade e de fecundidade total por ano e os riscos de nascimento prematuro, baixo peso de nascimento, nascimento múltiplo e presença de anormalidade congênita no período, por município. Um questionário estruturado e pré-testado foi aplicado em uma amostra de base populacional (820 famílias) em cinco áreas da região, quatro dessas em áreas contaminadas e uma (controle) sem contaminação conhecida. Foram calculados os riscos de ocorrência de mulheres em idade fértil que engravidaram, aborto, parto prematuro, baixo peso ao nascer, natimorto, malformação congênita e nascimento múltiplo. Os dados de aborto e ocorrência de gestação foram georreferenciados na área 3, São Vicente continental. Utilizou-se o teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson ou teste exato de Fisher investigando associações entre as áreas e as variáveis qualitativas. O odds ratio (OR) e os intervalos de confiança de 95% foram calculados por regressão logística de acordo com as áreas, ajustados para fatores de confusão (socioeconômicos, demográficos e de hábitos das mulheres). Nível de significância foi de 5%. Resultados: As taxas de natalidade e fecundidade diminuíram no período em todos os municípios, predominantemente em Bertioga. Existe risco significativamente maior (p=0,00) de ocorrência de baixo peso de nascimento em São Vicente (OR=2,25; 1,93 2,62), no Guarujá (OR=2,14; 1,80 2,56) e em Cubatão (OR=2,06; 1,75 2,43), que em Bertioga, controlado pela idade, estado civil e escolaridade da mãe, consulta pré-natal, e malformações congênitas. O risco de parto prematuro também foi significativamente maior (p=0,00) em São Vicente (OR= 2,24; 1,89 2,65), no Guarujá (OR=2,31; 1,91 2,80) e em Cubatão (OR = 2,51; 2,09 3,00) que em Bertioga, controlado por idade, estado civil e escolaridade da mãe, consulta pré-natal, e malformações congênitas. O risco de malformações congênitas também significativamente maior no Guarujá (OR=2,24; 1,43 3,50; p=0,00) e em Cubatão (OR=1,62; 1,04 2,52; p=0,03) que em Bertioga, controlado por idade e estado civil da mãe, consulta pré-natal, e nascimento múltiplo. A prevalência dos desfechos gestacionais foi maior nas quatro áreas contaminadas que na área controle. Comparado com a área 5 (controle), um risco significativamente maior de não ocorrência de gestantes, controlando para idade materna, escolaridade materna e renda familiar, foi encontrado na área 2 (OR=1,47; 1,16 1,85), na área 3 (OR=1,31; 1,03 1,66) e na área 4 (OR=1,40; 1,10 1,77). Também houve um risco significativamente maior de abortos na área 3 (OR=1,83; 1,07 3,12) controlando para anos morando na região, idade e escolaridade materna, renda familiar e uso de tabaco materno passado. Conclusões: O estudo evidencia um aumento de risco de desfechos gestacionais em áreas contaminadas na região dos Estuários de Santos e São Vicente / Background: Santos and São Vicente Estuary is contaminated with heavy metals, organochlorines compounds, dioxins and furans. Epidemiological studies show that fetuses are more susceptible to toxic chemicals than adults. This study evaluated occurrence of pregnancy events in contaminated and non-contaminated areas in estuarine region. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed SINASC data from 2003 to 2007 in São Vicente, Guarujá, Cubatão and Bertioga cities. Crude birth and total fertility rates per year, and risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, multiple birth and congenital abnormality in the period were calculated by city. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was applied in a population-based sample (820 families each) in five areas. Four of these areas are in contaminated regions and one (control) has no known environmental contamination. Risks of childbearing age women who became pregnant, abortion, premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, congenital malformation and multiple birth were calculated. Data of abortion and pregnancy occurrence were georeferenced in area 3, continental part of São Vicente city. Pearsons chi-square test or Fishers exact test were used to investigate associations between areas and qualitative variables. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by logistic regression according to the area, adjusted for confounding factors (socioeconomic, demographic and women habits). The statistical significance level was set at 5%. Results: Birth and fertility rates declined over the years in all cities, predominantly in Bertioga. There were significant higher risks (p<0.01) of low birth weight in São Vicente (OR=2.25, 1.93 2.62), Guarujá (OR=2,14, 1.80 2.56) and Cubatão (OR=2.06, 1.75 2.43), compared to Bertioga, controlling for maternal age, marital status, maternal education, prenatal, and congenital abnormalities. Risk of preterm birth was also significantly higher (p<0.01) in São Vicente (OR=2.24, 1.89 2.65), Guarujá (OR=2.31, 1.91 2.80), and Cubatão (OR=2.51, 2.09 3.00) than Bertioga, controlling for maternal age, marital status, maternal education, prenatal, and congenital abnormalities. Risk of congenital abnormalities was significantly higher in Guarujá (OR=2.24, 1.43 3.50, p=0.00) and Cubatão (OR=1.62, 1.04 2.52, p=0.03) than Bertioga, controlling for maternal age, marital status, prenatal and multiple birth. Prevalences of pregnancy outcomes were higher in the four contaminated areas than in control area. Compared to area 5 (control), significantly higher risks (p<0.05) of non-pregnant women was found in areas 2 (OR=1.47, 1.16 1.85), 3 (OR=1.31, 1.03 1.66), and 4 (OR=1.40, 1.10 1.77) controlling for maternal age, maternal education, and family income. There was also a significantly higher risk of abortion in area 3 (OR=1.83, 1.07 3.12) controlling for years living in the region, maternal age and education, family income and maternal past smoking. Conclusions: The study shows an increased risk of pregnancy outcomes in contaminated areas of Santos and São Vicente Estuary region

A inalação de material particulado (PM) exerce um papel importante na exacerbação de doenças respiratórias, incluindo DPOC e asma, no entanto os efeitos específicos do PM no desenvolvimento do enfisema pulmonar são ainda pouco descritos na literatura. Neste estudo investigamos os efeitos da exposição crônica a níveis ambientais de PM no desenvolvimento do enfisema e do remodelamento pulmonar em camundongos. Os animais receberam instilação intranasal de solução de papaína ou de solução salina e permaneceram em câmaras situadas em uma área de tráfego intenso de veículos: uma recebia ar ambiente e a outra possuía filtros para PM na entrada de ar. Fizemos medidas morfométricas, de densidade de fibras de colágeno e elástica, análise quantitativa de macrófagos, expressão de MMP- 12 (metaloproteinase de matriz), de isoprostano-8 e de caspase-3 no tecido pulmonar. Os animais que recebram papaína e que foram mantidos na câmara sem filtros apresentaram os maiores valores de intercepto linear médio (Lm) comparados aos que receberam a solução desta mesma substância, mas que permaneceram na câmara com os filtros (47,11±1,49 e 39,33±1,93 miu m, respectivamente, p=0.002). Também observamos um aumento na densidade de fibras de colágeno e na expressão de isoprostano-8 nos pulmões dos animais que receberam papaína e que permaneceram na câmara sem filtros comparado ao grupo que recebeu a mesma substância mas foi mantido na câmara com filtros (p<0,05 e p=0,002, respectivamente). Não houve diferença entre estes dois grupos ao avaliarmos a quantidade de células que expressaram MAC-2, MMP-12 e caspase-3. Não observamos diferença em nenhum dos parâmetros estudados entre os grupos que receberam solução salina, mas foram mantidos em câmaras diferentes. Concluimos que a exposição a níveis ambientais de PM piorou o enfisema induzido pela papaína e resultou em aumento do remodelamento pulmonar. O estresse oxidativo parece ser um dos mecanismos responsáveis por esta resposta. / Inhalation of particulate matter (PM) exacerbates a variety of pulmonary disorders, including COPD and asthma, but the specific effects of PM on the developing of emphysema are largely unknown. We investigated the effects of chronic exposure to ambient levels of PM on the development of emphysema and pulmonary remodeling in mice. Mice received either papain or normal saline and were kept for two months in two chambers in an area of high traffic density: one received ambient air and the other had filters for PM. We performed lung morphometry, measured the density of elastic and collagen fibers and studied the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12), macrophage MAC-2, 8-isoprostane and caspase 3. Lungs from papain-treated mice exposed to ambient air presented greater values of mean linear intercept than papain-treated mice kept in the chamber with filtered air (47.11±1.49 and 39.33±1.93 miu m, respectively, p=0.002). There was an increase in the density of collagen fibers and in the expression of 8- isoprostane in pulmonary tissue of papain-treated mice that remained in the chamber with ambient air (p<0.05 and p=0.002, respectively). There were no significant differences between these two groups in the amount of cells expressing MAC-2, MMP-12 and caspase-3. There were no significant differences in any of the parameters studied between saline-treated mice kept in the two chambers. We conclude that exposure to urban levels of PM worsens protease-induced emphysema and increases pulmonary remodeling. We suggest that an increase in oxidative stress induced by PM exposure influences this response.

As social problems, such as environmental pollution persist, the need to implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) to enhance societal well-being becomes important. However, little is known about how corporate leaders implement CSR. The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to identify and report the lived experiences of corporate managers relevant to CSR implementation. This study was guided by ecological systems theory, the Porter hypothesis, the Maslow hierarchy of needs theory, and the Harrod-Domar growth model, which justify the importance of societal well-being to business profitability and growth. The research question regarding the lived experiences of corporate managers of CSR implementation aligns with the research problem. A transcendental phenomenological approach was used to identify and report lived experiences of corporate leaders to illuminate understanding of CSR implementation worthy of emulation. Open-ended questions were used in semi structured interviews of purposefully selected managers, based on their lived experiences relevant to CSR implementation, of manufacturing corporations in Charlotte, North Carolina. Van Kaam's phenomenological analysis as explained by Moustakas was used to analyze data. Findings revealed that corporate leaders implemented CSR by donating and volunteering to support health care, nature preservation, education, and poverty reduction. Participants also responded that they supported recycling and use of alternative sources of energy to improve the health and safety of employees and society. The understanding gained from participants' responses can positively affect social change, as participants assessed that CSR implementation resulted in societal well-being.

The mechanisms and kinetics of combustion of waste wood as well as the phases during combustion processes are important to eliminate these wastes without any possible damage to environment. In the present study, combustion mechanisms, activation energy and pre-exponential constants, and phases of combustion were investigated for untreated natural pine and treated Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF), plywood and particleboard samples that involve some chemicals and additives. Waste wood samples were heated in air at 10, 20 and 30oC/min heating rates in a Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) from room temperature to 900oC. Thermogravimetry (TG) and Derivative Thermogravimetry (DTG) curves for all samples were obtained. The gases formed during combustion reactions were directly fed to a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) instrument coupled to TGA. Emission characteristics of the samples were determined in-situ by using the FTIR spectrums. As a result of TG analysis, thermal decomposition of treated samples was observed at lower temperatures as compared to the untreated pine sample because of the catalyzing effects of the chemicals in the treated samples. Therefore, there were less flammable products, lower weight losses in the main oxidation region, decrease in the max. weight loss temperatures and formation of more char for treated samples as compared to untreated pine sample. In other words, chemicals used during production of these samples lead to decrease in the combustibility of the treated samples. Thermal kinetic constants for the samples were calculated by using Coats Redfern and Broido Methods. In order to find out the mechanisms responsible for the oxidation of the waste wood samples in different regions, six solid state mechanisms of Coats Redfern Method were tested. As a result of FTIR analysis of the emitted gases from TG analysis, several chemical groups were detected from pine and treated samples. Combustion of all samples revealed some gases containing aromatics, C-H groups, CO2 and CO. However, there were some toxic and carcinogenic gases like formaldehyde, isocyanate group, ammonia, phenyl group and benzoylbromide among the emissions of treated samples which need utmost attention when recovering energy from treated waste woods.

Daily aerosol samples were collected at the &Ccedil / andarli which is located on Aegean coast of Turkey. A rural site was selected to monitor atmospheric pollution by long range transport. Sampling was performed in both summer and winter seasons, and in total 151 samples were obtained. Concentrations of elements in the samples were measured in order to identify sources and possible source locations of pollutants. Measured concentrations of trace elements at the &Ccedil / andarli station were compared with those measured at various sites around the world and, also in Turkey. As a result of comparison, level of pollution at the Aegean Region was found to be lower than the Mediterranean Region and Black Sea Region. Air flow climatology at &Ccedil / andarli was investigated in order to determine potential source regions for pollutants. Frequency of air flows from Russia and Western Europe are higher suggesting that emissions from these industrial regions affect the chemical composition of particulate matter. Besides these, it was concluded that contributions from Central and Eastern European countries are significantly high because of frequent air mass transport. Concentrations of elements measured at &Ccedil / andarli station were found to show short and seasonal variations. Such variations in concentrations are explained by variations in the source strengths and transport patterns. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was applied to determine sources of elements and contribution of sources to each element. This analysis revealed 5 sources, two local anthropogenic emissions factor, one soil factor, one sea salt factor and one long range transport factor. Distribution of Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) values showed that main sources of SO42- are observed in Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Ukraine and central part of Aegean region.

In this study, flue gas emissions and combustion efficiencies during combustion and co-combustion of olive cake and coal are investigated in a bubbling fluidized bed with an inside diameter of 102 mm and a height of 900 mm and 1900 mm. Tun&ccedil / bilek lignite coal and Edremit olive cake were used in the experiments as fuels. Temperature distributions along the combustion column were continuously measured. Flue gas concentrations of O2, CO, SO2 and NOx were measured during combustion experiments. Four sets of experiments were performed in order to examine the effect of fuel composition, excess air ratio, freeboard extension and limestone addition on flue gas emissions and combustion efficiency. The olive cake addition to coal were 25, 50, 75 % by wt. The bed temperature on the average was 850 oC. The results of the experiments showed that coal combustion occurs at lower parts of the combustion column whereas olive cake combustion takes place more in the freeboard region. As olive cake percentage in the fuel mixture increased, CO emissions increased, SO2 and NOx emissions decreased. The reason for the decrease of NOx emissions with increasing percentage of olive cake in the fuel mixture was due to a reducing atmosphere created in the combustion column. Mostly combustion losses resulted mainly from the unburnt carbon in the fly ash. With the freeboard extension, noticeable decrease in CO emissions and slight increase in combustion efficiencies were observed. Among the limestones tested, &Ccedil / an limestone gave the best result with Ca/S = 3 at an optimum bed temperature of 850 oC. The SO2 reduction was 87% at this Ca/S ratio. For co-combustion experiments, it was observed that SO2 adsorption efficiency of limestone increased with the addition of olive cake to the fuel mixture.

The present study presents a draft national CCT (Clean Coal Technologies) and CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) technology roadmap to policy makers. Various technical and non-technical (economic and social) challenges that currently prevent CCT and CCS from being a widely used commercial technology are discussed and the goals for each research pathway are defined. The process of creating the roadmap started with a review and assessment of the existing national and international technology roadmaps which represent a global picture of the state of the art and national and international plans for future on CCT and CCS research development, demonstration and deployment (R&amp / D&amp / D). Following this step, the national situation, capacities and priorities were examined. Finally, R&amp / D&amp / D actions discussed in the existing roadmaps and/or new actions were carefully selected and suggested as a draft Turkish CCT and CCS Roadmap that needs further development and discussion by the input of interdisciplinary national stakeholders. As a conclusion a number of technical and non-technical suggestions are delivered.

DEVELOPMENT OF GIS BASED TRAJECTORY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS METHOD TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOURCES OF REGIONAL AIR POLLUTION Yikmaz, Riza Fikret M.Sc., Department of Geodetic and Geographic Information Technologies Supervisor: Prof. Dr. G&uuml / rdal Tuncel Co-supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zuhal Aky&uuml / rek May 2010, 186 pages Apportionment of source regions affecting a certain receptor in the regional scale is necessary information for air quality management and development of national policy for exchange of air pollutants with other countries. Source region apportionment can be studied either through numerical modeling or by using trajectory statistics that is a hybrid methodology of modeling and measurements. Each of these approaches has their advantages and disadvantages. In this study treatment of back-trajectory segments in Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF), which is one of the tools used in trajectory statistics will be investigated, to increase the reliability of the apportionment process. In the current method run in GIS, especially two parameters gains importance. One is that the vertical locations of trajectory segments are not taken into account at present. In this study, how the evaluation of the segments in 3-D instead of 2-D could improve the results will be assessed. The other parameter that is rainfall at each segment will be included in the PSCF calculations and its effects on the spatial distribution of PSCF values will be evaluated. A user interface in Geographical Information System (GIS) will be developed for effective use of improved methodology.