SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN KOSOVO

Concerns and uncertainty about the life on Earth are constantly growing, today greater than ever before, as a result of human activity. In this regard, the major dangers that threaten our planet include uncontrolled utilization of natural resources, environmental deterioration and environmental pollution over Earth's regenerating possibilities. Whereas, the main causes of pollution are deforestation, erosion, greenhouse gas emissions, poor urban and industrial waste control and uncontrolled mining activities. All of these lead to serious consequences for life on Earth, because of the natural resources of the soil and its capacity to absorb waste gases (CH4), and the release of heavy metals such as Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe and As, which are the biggest soil pollutants. The Earth is being cemented, and its regenerating capacities are being diminished every day. UDC Classification: 502/504; DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12955/cbup.v5.1111


Introduction
areas near industrial sites, the reduction of green areas (parks and gardens), increased vehicle traffic, and use of high-content lead fuels (Dreshaj, 2013).

Geographical position and the development of tourism in Kosovo
According to Qullaj (2010), Kosovo is characterized by a suitable geographic position. It lies in the southeast Europe and in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula, thus being an important crossroad of transitional roads connecting various parts of Europe and beyond it since the ancient times to the present day. The geographic position gained particular importance after the construction of the Thessaloniki-Skopje-Kosovo Polje-Mitrovica railroad in 1874, which connected the southern and northern parts of the Balkans and Europe (Besa, 2015). The transit function increased further with the construction of the Ferizaj -Prishtina -Mitrovica road which continued along the valley of Iber by creating links with central and western Europe, whereas, through Kacanik connected to the south and -Corridor 8, Durres-Skopje-Sofia-Varna (Besa, 2015). Construction of the Adriatic highway (1971) increased the transitory links of Kosovo with the Adriatic coast and widened the Dalmatian corridor turning Kosovo into an important regional crossroad (Shehu, 2006). The Relief The most important forms of relief are hollows (Kosovo, Dukagjin, etc.), and mountains (Sharri, Albanian Alps -Rugova Mountains, Kopaonik), etc. Mountains account for 64%, while the hollows account for 36% of Kosovo's territory (Law on waste, 2012). The average altitude of Kosovo is 810 m with the extremes between 270 m, the lowest point in Vermica, and 2656 m, the highest point in Gjeravica (Besa, 2015). In terms of hypsometric aspect, areas under 700 m comprise more than half of the territory of Kosovo (52.6%), 700-1000 m areas comprise more than a quarter (26.6%), while surfaces over 1000 m account over 1/5 (20.8%), of the territory of Kosovo (Law No. 03/L-160 on air protection from pollution, 2010). The relief represents a very important influential element of the climate, hydrograph, the establishment, and development of dwelling places or settlements, etc. (Qullaj, 2010). The climate of Kosovo is under the influence of macro-climate factors: geographic latitude, land position, water, based on the macroclimate factors. Thus, Kosovo is characterized by a moderate continental climate, but local factors also affect the situation of other climate types (Shehu, 2006). Depending on these factors, the eastern part (Kosovo Plain) is characterized by a continental climate, whereas, the western part (Dukagjin Plain) is characterized by an average continental climate with a significant influence of the Mediterranean climate of the Adriatic Sea through the Drini Valley. Hilly mountainous areas (750-1000 m), as transitional areas are characterized by subalpine climate and mountainous areas (over 1000 m), are characterized by alpine climate (Besa, 2015). Kosovo's average temperatures are around 11 °C with the minimum temperature -25.2 °C and the maximum up to 39.2 °C. Maximum average annual rainfall is 591 mm. Due to the impact of local factors, the western part of Kosovo is characterized by a higher temperature (average for 1 °C higher), and a higher average amount of precipitation (by around 100 mm) than the eastern part of Kosovo.

Air pollution
The air is an important environmental factor and a necessity for life. Its pollution is caused by mixed substances that come in the natural or artificial ways and become the main reason of deterioration of its quality, causing a series of illnesses, and degradation of other environmental elements (Lajçi & Kalaj, 1998). Air pollution poses a great danger to the population, particularly to high-risk groups, such as children and the elderly (Shehu, 2006). Air quality deterioration is caused by the presence of pollutants such as SO2, NOx, and particulate matter in abeyance (PMA), troposphere ozone, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals (Daci, 1978). Also, transport growth is accompanied by increased pollution from NOx, PM, O3, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons.

Cycles of air pollution
Three cycles are considered as the most important regarding the air pollutants on the environment:  The first cycle is the process of emission, that is characterized by parameters such as the type of pollutants, the quantity of pollutants, the scale of the source of discharge, the temperature of the material emitted, the speed and time of the emitted material;  The second cycle is the atmospheric transport of pollutants. It includes possible physical or chemical factors, for example, photochemical reactions and the spatial distance between the source of the discharged pollutant and the area which the pollutant affects.  The deposition process is the third cycle. The deposition means the local impact of pollutants on the environment. It depends on the weather conditions or climate change, such as the inversion of temperature or precipitation and their duration (Lajçi & Kalaj, 1998).

Air pollution modeling
Modelling techniques are some of the most important instruments dealing with air quality. The models are useful for predicting the behavior of systems, which are too complex for accurate analysis of the subject. Likewise, models are used to predict the worst cases of pollution (Qullaj, 2010). Factors in the spread of polluting particles are:  Wind, which is dependent on the shape (roughness) of the surface of the Earth;  The effect of friction between the air and the earth's surface, wind speed, and turbulence;  Wind speed decreases significantly closer to ground level, if the surface is relatively rough, for example. With trees and buildings, airflow tends to turn into turbulence, and increasing wind speed with height from ground level is relatively small (Davis & Mc Entire, 2006).

Sources of air pollution in the Republic of Kosovo
Resources of mining and energy in Kosovo are used in an uncontrolled manner, neglecting the condition of the environment, without adequate environmental projects and adequate professional treatment of the case. Hence, this situation is causing major damage to human health and the environment in general (air, water, soil and natural landscapes). In 1988/99, energy, non-ferrous metals and processing of metals comprised about 65% of the industrial production in Kosovo (Law No. 04/L-06 on waste, 2012). According to reports, the concentration of lead in the air in 1980/91 was increased from 22.9 to 25.2 micrograms for m 3 . Except for SO2, NOx, the organic substances that were emitted in the air in 1990 and further on, are as follows:  Dust 4910 t/year;  Lead 1120 t/year.
Great potential pollutants are found from other metals such as Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn, etc. Whereas, a particular problem derives from the following indicators:  Slag of smelters in million tonnes;  Wastes from electrolysis of approximately 560,000 tones Zn;  Waste of frying concentrates nearly 760 000 tonnes;  Trash flotation;  Old landfill near the smelter in Zvecan about 6.47 million t / pyrite, 3.31 million t / Pirot and 566 000 t / oligo.

Heavy metal pollution from road traffic
The main processes through which vehicles emit pollutants into the environment are combustion processes of fuel, vehicle depreciation (engine, tires, and brakes), and oil leakage or anti-freeze, and also corrosion (Lajçi & Kalaj, 1998). While emission control regulations have led to a substantial reduction in emissions coming from road traffic, it has recently been noticed that emissions from other vehicles were not affected (Damek-Poprawa & Sawicka-Kapusta, 2003). Accordingly, lead is released during fuel combustion processes, zinc dust is derived from tires (zinc catalyst used in the manufacture of tires), and copper is derived from the corrosion of the radiator and brakes; other heavy metals are from mixed backgrounds (Ferguson, 1989). Then origin of Zn of road traffic is from corrosion of ABS braking system (Dakonta, 2009). Today, most important heavy metals related to road traffic are: Cu, Pb, and Zn. Historically, lead has been related to road traffic. Other metals coming from road traffic include, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Sb and Zn from amortization of brakes, Zn and traces of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni and Pb from tires and Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, lead and V, from gases released by burning fossil fuels (Qullaj, 2010). The effects of pollution on health are of particular concern for the population of Kosovo. These effects are often significant and lead to major public debates. Therefore, the effects of pollution vary depending on the pollutants and include:  Acute respiratory diseases;  Worsening of patients condition who suffers from heart diseases, respiratory diseases, and asthma;  Cancer caused directly by pollutants;  Impacts on the eye or nose irritation and stress or loss of general welfare.
While in most cases, the effects are small, in some cases, the impact may be bigger and in extreme cases, the consequences are life-threatening. In 2016, 1045 people have been diagnosed with cancer, and half of them died. The government of Kosovo is paying 5 million for the chemotherapy chemicals treatment of persons diagnosed with CA. Short and long term exposure to PM particles According to (Dreshaj, 2014) exposure to PM particles always refers to a respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and other consequences. PM10 particles are smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter, so they easily infiltrate into the respiratory tract (Law No. 04/L-197 on chemicals, 2014). It was found that an exposure to very small fractions of particles PM2,5, which account for about twothirds of PM10 emissions, results in an even stronger association of the observed effects on disease, but also warn that there are fractions between PM10 and PM2,5 which may have some influence on health (Qullaj, 2010).

Research Methodology and Materials
The samples for the research have been taken at various stations in the center of Pristina, and in Kosovo Polje near the roadway. After transporting the samples to the laboratory, the instruments used to measure the analysis were: Turnkey's -equipment for the measurement of particles. The photometry used in the Turnkey' instruments as Tapas, Osiris and the Dust mate provides a continuous and simultaneous overview of mass fractions PM 2.5, PM 10 and GPM (Dreshaj, 2013). The dust mate portable monitor is a monitor laser detector and is ideal for sampling in the field. This device analyses the total particulate matter (TPM), the particulate matter with a diameter of 10 μm (PM10), subject particles 2.5 μm in diameter (PM 2.5), and the PM10 in a simultaneous way (Dreshaj, 2014). The monitor is equipped with software which is used for reading, receiving, management and interpretation of the data based on the relevant assessment criteria. These results have been shown in Table 1.
The dynamics of the particles in the air-air measurements for indicators in Pristina are focused on two important stations representative to assess the impact of pollution sources in this city (Dreshaj, 2013).

Conclusions
The main goal of this research has been to provide the necessary information in order to make correct decisions regarding the management and improvement of air quality. Based on the findings presented above, it can be concluded that the three polluting sources are characterized by differentiated emissions of air pollutants with particulate matters: PM10, PM 2.5, as well as SO2, NOx, and CO. The power plants/stations, Kosovo A and Kosovo B are powerful emitters into the air as well as of particulate material emissions. Emission of particulates on the annual average is about 9-16 times higher than AAV, while NOx emissions are 34-62% higher than AAV. Pristina is characterized by a high load of particulate material. As for PM10 particulates and PM2.5 particulates, their annual average is 50-60% higher than the critical limits. Despite the fact that the Kosovo authorities have passed laws protecting air, water, forest and other environmental related areas, the management and improvement of air quality remain a serious concern for the life of people. Thus, the fundamental right of Kosovo citizens such as the right to healthy life continues to be at risk. Recommendations As a starting point, citizens should be aware that environmental protection protects health and wellbeing. In this regard, it should be initiated as soon as possible, since tomorrow it might be late. In order to improve the conditions, we recommend providing of funds for the maintenance of monitoring equipment. Also, based on the findings, we recommend increasing the number of monitoring parameters as required by the guidelines laid down by laws which regulate issues of air pollution. Moreover, to take concrete steps on the part of institutions in reducing pollution from PK 10 and PM 2.5. As regulated by legislation, to conduct control of fuels derivatives that enter Kosovo and become certified companies which deal with this business, to carry out technical inspection of vehicles and issuing gases and to adopt standards set by the European legislation level, discard vehicles that do not meet requirements, establishment of electrostatic filters in the chimneys of power plants/stations, and increase green areas inside and outside the cities. Finally, Kosovo authorities might concentrate and orient their actions on controlling the enforcement of already passed legislation that regulates all the above mentioned aspects. Bibliography