A Case Study of PM2.5 Characterization in Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia during the Southwest Monsoon Season

Yusuke Fujii,Susumu Tohno,Mastura Mahmud,Akira Mizohata,Tomoaki Okuda

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2015.04.0277

Abstract

A case study was carried out to characterize the ambient PM_(2.5) based on ground-based sampling in Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia in September, 2013 during the southwest monsoon season. We determined the total mass concentration, organic carbon, elemental carbon (EC), and metals in PM_(2.5) samples. The mean PM_(2.5) mass concentration was 44.5 μg m^(-3), showing that it exceeded the national air quality standard of 35 μg m^(-3) for 24-hour PM_(2.5) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Relatively high OC and EC concentrations of this study compared to those of other Southeast Asian countries were observed, which indicate that significant sources of OC and EC exist. The results of char-EC/soot-EC ratios strongly suggest that biomass burning is the main contributor to ambient EC concentrations compared to coal combustion and motor vehicle emissions. From calculations using the mass closure model, organic matter was the most abundant component in PM_(2.5) mass at 22.4 ± 6.65 μg m^(-3), followed by nss-sulfate at 4.84 ± 2.49 μg m^(-3), and EC at 4.11 ± 0.916 μg m^(-3). This result indicates that targeting the sources of carbonaceous PM_(2.5) is a crucial step to improve the air quality in this study field.

Highlights

Particulate matter (PM) is a major cause of air pollution, originating from various sources in Southeast Asia such as biomass burning, industry, automobiles, and domestic cooking
High organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) concentrations of this study compared to those of other Southeast Asian countries were observed, which indicate that significant sources of OC and EC exist
The results of char-EC/soot-EC ratios strongly suggest that biomass burning is the main contributor to ambient EC concentrations compared to coal combustion and motor vehicle emissions

Summary

Introduction

Particulate matter (PM) is a major cause of air pollution, originating from various sources in Southeast Asia such as biomass burning, industry, automobiles, and domestic cooking. Since the Recommended Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Standards (RMAAQS) of PM have been established for particulate matter with diameters ≤ 10 μm (PM10), total suspended particles, and lead (Pb), many reports have presented data regarding these forms of PM (Abas and Simoneit, 1996; Fang et al, 1999; Okuda et al, 2002; Abas et al, 2004a, b; Omar et al, 2007; Norela et al, 2013; Wahid et al, 2013; Jamhari et al, 2014). PM2.5 concentrations have been reported (Tahir et al, 2013; Fujii et al, 2014b; EeLing et al, 2015; Khan et al, 2015), the identified components are limited such as inorganic ions and metals

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion