Correlation between total suspended particles and natural radionuclide in malaysia maritime air during haze event in june july 2009

Asnor Azrin Sabuti,Che Abd Rahim Mohamed

doi:10.26480/jcleanwas.01.2018.01.05

Abstract

Atmospheric particles in the surface air including aerosol and dust were collected using high volume air sampler (HVAS) for obtaining the activity levels of 210Pb and 210Po over Malaysian waters during the EPSP’09 Scientific Expedition. The average mass concentration of total suspended particles (TSP) in maritime air was 33 ± 2 μg/m3 (ranged from 13 ± 1 to 74 ± 4 μg/m3). Based on previous literatures, it has been suspected that the haze episodes were mainly due to forest and peat bog fires as well as vehicle and industrial emissions during dry period, especially during southwest monsoon. Consequently, the activity levels of 210Pb and 210Po in maritime particles were relatively in proportion with the TSP concentrations. Meanwhile, the temporal variation of 210Po/210Pb activity ratios in the aerosol samples perhaps related to the difference of residence time airborne particles and contribution from different sources of radionuclides in which 210Pb and 210Po are not in secular equilibrium. The highest TSP concentrations and 210Pb and 210Po activities were closely related to warm and dry period during southwest monsoon.

Highlights

During the Ekspedisi Pelayaran Saintifik Perdana 2009 (EPSP’09) Scientific Expedition, data on air quality were collected using total suspended particles (TSP) measurements
The aim of this study is to measure the concentration of TSP and activity levels of 210Po and 210Pb in the maritime air along Strait of Malacca, southern South China Sea and Sulu-Sulawesi Seas during EPSP’09 scientific expedition
Malaysia is surrounded by Strait of Malacca, South China Sea, Sulu Sea and Sulawesi Sea

Summary

Introduction

During the EPSP’09 Scientific Expedition, data on air quality were collected using total suspended particles (TSP) measurements. This parameter is a collective term used for very small solid and/or liquid particles found in the atmosphere [1]. Alias et al [1] summarized that the particulate concentrations are depending on the wind or other influencing factors at that particular time such as temperature and humidity. The amount of rain fall contributes to the concentration of air particulates in the air, where it’s going to be lower during rainy days. The rain can reduce the amount of air particulates in the air because most of it will be carried away by rain water

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Conclusion