Air quality trends in a coastal city, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) and PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm) have been assessed for a coastal city (Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain) for a 17-year period (2000-2016). The air quality of the city is affected by a mix of local anthropogenic emissions and longer-range natural emissions such as Saharan dust intrusions. The decrease in SO2 concentrations since 2014 when the oil refinery ceased operation is clearly shown. The measurement and assessment of ambient air concentrations over long time scales constitutes a necessary tool to monitor emission changes and identify improvements in ambient air quality.