Exploring the impact of livestock farming on air quality in Lombardy

Pollution has become a major concern in recent years, since all its facets have a significant impact on ecosystems and human health. Air pollution is one of the most critical issues, with particulate matter (PM) being a key indicator of air quality. In particular, the formation of atmospheric PM10 (i.e., particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm or less) depends on various factors, that is precursor gases, weather conditions, and human activities. Exploring the relationship between PM10 and these factors is essential for understanding the dynamics of air pollution and developing effective mitigation strategies. Hence, this study investigates the spatial distribution of PM10 and the other factors in Lombardy, Italy, and aims to identify spatial clusters of these variables. Specifically, the relation between PM10 and ammonia (NH3) is of primary importance, as a large portion of Lombardy is characterized by intensive livestock farming activities, which are a major source of NH3 emissions in the region. The analysis is referred to the year 2020, and is based on data from the AgrImOnIA dataset, which includes information on air quality, meteorology, emissions, livestock, and land use. The investigation of the spatial distributions is conducted using spatial interpolation techniques, specifically Kriging, while the local Getis-Ord index is applied to recognize hot spots, that is clusters of municipalities with high pollution levels that require targeted interventions. The results show a positive correlation between PM10 levels and NH3 emissions, with hot spots identified in areas with high animal density. The findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics of air pollution in Lombardy and highlight the need for sustainable agricultural practices to improve air quality in the region.