Abstract
Na Phra Lan Subdistrict is a pollution control zone with the highest PM10 level in Thailand. Major mobile and industrial sources in the area are related to stone crushing, quarrying and mining. This study used statistical techniques to investigate the potential sources influencing high PM10 levels in Na Phra Lan. Hourly PM10 data and related parameters (PM2.5, PMcoarse and NOx) from 2014–2017 were analysed using time series, bivariate polar plot and conditional bivariate probability function (CBPF). Results of diurnal variation revealed two peaks of PM10 levels from 06:00–10:00 and 19:00–23:00 every month. For seasonal variation, high PM10 concentrations were found from October to February associated with the cool and dry weather during these months. The bivariate polar plot and CBPF confirmed two potential sources, i.e., resuspended dust from mobile sources close to the air quality monitoring station (receptor) and industrial sources of mining, quarrying and stone crushing far from the station on the northeast side. While the industrial source areas played a role in background PM10 concentrations, the influence of mobile sources increased the concentrations resulting in two PM10 peaks daily. From the study results, we proposed that countermeasure activities should focus on potential source areas, resuspended road dust from vehicles and the industrial sources related to quarrying and mining, rather than distributing equal attention to all sources.
Highlights
Na Phra Lan Subdistrict is a pollution control zone with the highest PM10 level in Thailand
The Particulate matter (PM), N Ox and meteorological data observed at the air quality monitoring station located in Na Phra Lan Subdistrict, Saraburi Province, Thailand for the past four years were analysed to understand the air quality situation and characterise P M10 emission sources
The mean concentration of P M10 in Na Phra Lan Subdistrict was higher than the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of Thailand and interim target-2 level of World Health Organisation (WHO) mainly from October-February
Summary
Na Phra Lan Subdistrict is a pollution control zone with the highest PM10 level in Thailand. This study used statistical techniques to investigate the potential sources influencing high PM10 levels in Na Phra Lan. Hourly PM10 data and related parameters (PM2.5, PMcoarse and NOx) from 2014–2017 were analysed using time series, bivariate polar plot and conditional bivariate probability function (CBPF). Related studies using the source dispersion model have indicated that PM10 levels at receptors were generated mainly from line source emissions of resuspended road dust, followed by area sources related to mining industries[13,14]. No relationship among temporal variations of PM10, meteorological parameters, and emission source contribution and locations has been clearly described in Na Phra Lan area. This study aimed to provide further information to characterise PM10 source contributions, their diurnal emissions and their locations, using integrated statistical techniques: bivariate polar plot and conditional bivariate probability function (CBPF) for long-term actual monitoring data from 2014–2017. Results are anticipated to be useful to policymakers to appropriately reduce P M10 from the accurate and potential sources in the Na Phra Lan pollution control zone
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