Concurrent Influence of Different Natural Sources on the Particulate Matter in the Central Mediterranean Region during a Wildfire Season

Wildfire occurrence and severity in the Mediterranean region during summer season is increasing, being favoured by climate change-induced conditions (i.e., drought, heatwaves). Moreover, additional natural sources frequently impact this region, particularly Saharan dust intrusions. This study focuses on combined effect of wildfires air quality central Basin (CMB) 2017, an exceptional year for forested burned areas southern Italy. The annual behaviors PM2.5, PM10, CO, benzene, benzo(a)pirene measurements that were recorded at a rural regional-background station located Italy, highlighted concentration increase summer. Both wildfire events identified while using Navy Aerosol Analysis Prediction System (NAAPS) model maps, together with high-resolution Weather Research Forecast—Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (WRF-HYSPLIT) back-trajectories. Additionally, Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) satellite detections considered to establish enrichment masses emissions. Finally, these sources, their influence particulate matter, examined. In case study, both PM2.5 PM10 exceedances occurred predominantly conjunction events, mainly increased when overlapping effects.