Air Pollution Analysis in Kuwait Using a Statistical Technique (CUSUM)

A Al-Rashed,N Al-Mutairi,M Al Attar

doi:10.4236/ijg.2019.103016

Abstract

Investigating the changes in the air pollutants trends of an area is important as it helps in making further action plans for further implementation of control strategies. Time series analysis provides indication to analyze any effect of uncontrolled changes in pollutants. In this study, exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) and cumulative sum (CUSUM) analyzing methods are applied for detecting the trends and change in air pollutant concentrations in Kuwait. CUSUM method is effective in detecting shifts from average mean obtained by EWMA technique. The study aimed to investigate trends in major pollutants in three selective areas in Kuwait during the past five years. The data obtained from three monitoring stations in the study areas Ali Subah Al-Salem, Al-Mutla, and Al-Mansouriya for carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter—less than 10 micrometers (PM10), hydrogen sulphide (H2S), and non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC). Increase in CO and NMHC concentrations in the three areas and decrease in PM10, SO2, and NO2 concentration levels in non-industrial areas Al-Mutla and Al-Mansouriya are observed using CUSUM method.

Highlights

Background of KuwaitKuwait is located on the north-western coast of Arabian Gulf
Exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) and cumulative sum (CUSUM) analyzing methods are applied for detecting the trends and change in air pollutant concentrations in Kuwait
The purpose of this study is to investigate the ability of the Cumulative sum (CUSUM) technique to identify a step change in pollution levels in three areas in Kuwait

Summary

Introduction

Kuwait is located on the north-western coast of Arabian Gulf. It borders Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Arabian Gulf (Figure 1). The total area of Kuwait is about 17,818 km. The Total area is mainly arid land while urban development is on the coastline of the gulf. The climate is mostly dry consisting of intensely hot summer and short, cool winter. The mean elevation is 108 m where the lowest point is the Arabian Gulf which is 0 m and the highest point is 3.6 km West of Al-Salmi Border Post 300 m. Kuwait is modern well developed and planned emerging economic country having 6608 km of total road network according to the statistical data for year 2010 (Figure 1)

Objectives

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Results

Conclusion