Abstract
This study provides an investigation of atmospheric PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3 in the period from 2015–2017 in the southwestern and central part of Taiwan. In addition, the seasonal distribution of six AQI classes and corresponding primary pollutants were further analyzed. The daily AQIs were 15–194 in 2015, 17–213 in 2016, and 16–184 in 2017, respectively. During the three year period, in the studied area, the mean proportions of levels with Grade I, II, III, IV, V, and VI were 3%–31%, 30%–57%, 17%–46%, 0%–12%, 0%–1% and 0% in spring; were 38%–76%, 21%–57%, 0%–10%, 0%–2%, 0% and 0% in summer; were 2%–45%, 34%–77%, 13%–36%, 0%–18%, 0% and 0% in fall, and were 0%–12%, 38%–67%, 24%–41%, 1%–22%, 0% and 0% in winter. Generally, it was found that summer has the best air quality and that winter has the worst, where spring and fall are similar in terms of air quality. PM2.5 was the typical primary air pollutant when the AQI classes were 51–200, followed by O3 in summer, spring and fall, and PM10 in winter. As for class 201–300, the primary air pollutant was O3 and the 300–500 class did not occur.
Highlights
In recent years, air pollution has become a serious issue in many cities in the world (Ran et al, 2011; Li et al, 2012; Tang et al, 2012; Li et al, 2014)
During the period from 2015–2017, the atmospheric monthly PM2.5 concentrations in Puzih City, Singang Township, and Chiayi County are presented in Figs. 1(a)-1, 1(b)-1, 1(c)-1, and those in Douliou City, Taisi Township, Lunbei Township, and Mailiao Township are presented in Figs. 1(a)-2, 1(b)-2, 1(c)-2, respectively
Among the seven cities and townships under consideration, the highest annual mean PM2.5 concentration occurred in Lunbei Township (31.1 μg m–3), which was in the range of 15.8–47.1 μg m–3, and the lowest level was found in Puzih City (24.0 μg m–3), with a range of 10.0–39.1 μg m–3 in 2015
Summary
Air pollution has become a serious issue in many cities in the world (Ran et al, 2011; Li et al, 2012; Tang et al, 2012; Li et al, 2014). Base on the US EPA, this PSI system contains sub-indices for ozone (O3), coarse particulate matter (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). These sub-PSI indices were associated with ambient pollutant concentrations scaled from 0 to 500, where an index value of 100 can be defined as normal, and an index value of 500 is associated with significant harm to human health (Liu et al, 2002). The PSI system was based on general increases in O3 concentrations and decreases in PM10 levels in a steadily increasing PSI system It was replaced with the Air Quality Index (AQI), which can lead to a better understanding of the effects of O3 and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on the general air quality
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