Lying along the Black Sea coast between two river deltas, Turkish northern city Samsun was once among the world's "top cities with the best air quality." However, the city, now with a population of almost 1.5 million, is battling hard against air pollution caused by rapid industrialization, unplanned urbanization, narrow roads, and high-rise buildings that prevent wind flowing freely.

"Because of these conditions, heat-borne air pollution reaches its highest levels, especially during evening hours," professor Yuksel Ardali, head of the Department of Environmental Engineering in Ondokuz Mayis University, told Xinhua.

Due to changes in the direction of dominant wind in Samsun's industrial zone, the polluters sometimes move toward Tekkekoy district of the city, said Adali. This movement of wind causes a severe "industrial pollution" in Tekkekoy.

In 2007, when industrial plants had been built in Tekkekoy, air pollution was posing serious health risks in the area. The concentration of particulate matter like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen and carbon monoxide in the air was measured at 1000 to 3000 microgram, according to data from Ondokuz Mayis University.

The limit for particulate matter concentration in industrialized regions is set as 400 microgram. The results of the university's measures revealed the reality that in 2007 people in Tekkekoy respired the carcinogen PM100 65 times more than normal rates.

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute's report in 2008, the sulphur dioxide ratio in 6Samsun has been measured as 208 microgram per cubic meter. This figure is far above the WHO and EU limit, which is set as 20 microgram per cubic meter.

To tackle the challenge of air pollution, Samsun municipality launched a battle in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Engineering in Ondokuz Mayis University, which has been conducting regular inspection of air quality measures with the help of "Mobile Air Quality Measurement System" since 2005.

"The devices in this vehicle can detect six basic polluters: sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, ozone and hydrocarbon, instantly," said Adali.

The university also concentrated its studies on the industrial pollution in Samsun, leading local officials to take necessary initiatives.

"In 2010, Assistant Professor Andac Akdemir, responsible for the system, prepared a detailed pollution map for the Organized Industrial Zone," she said, adding that now the air pollution in the industrial zone is under control and the air quality gets better.

The municipality also takes necessary steps to reduce emission, provides qualified fuel, encourages the use of natural gas and improves fuel-burning devices. A considerable number of plants receiving emission permits also contributes to improving air quality in the city.

"As a result of extensive work, we observe a remarkable improvement in Samsun's air quality, together with the extensive use of natural gas," said Environment and Forest Provincial Director Omer Albayrak, "The sulphur dioxide ratio was measured as 11.6 gram per cubic meter in 2011. That was a big success for all of us."

"Another factor that affects the air quality in the city is taking the use of solid fuel under control," he stated.

In addition, the spreading rail transportation in the city is contributing to the battle.

Samsun Mayor Yusuf Ziya Yilmaz has announced lately that a 48- km railway system will be in service between airport and Taflan district. "By promoting railway system, we are taking a big step toward better air quality in Samsun," said Yilmaz. Endi