Spatio-Temporal Variation of Particulate Matter (PM10) During High Particulate Event (HPE) in Malaysia

Abstract

AbstractParticulate matter (PM10) is the key indicator of air quality index in Malaysia and Southeast Asia's main haze-related pollutant. PM10 emanation is believed to cause the strongest harm to public health and the environment. Therefore, it is very important to study the temporal and spatial characteristics of PM10 and the weather parameters, hence the relationship between them can be identified. A database with hourly PM10 concentration and weather parameters were obtained from Department of Environment (DOE) Malaysia from the period of 2012–2016 at two study areas that are located in Klang Valley, namely, Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam. The temporal analysis for PM10 concentration was observed by using descriptive statistics, boxplot and time series plot whereas the spatial analysis was conducted using windrose diagram. The finding shows that the highest average concentration of PM10 at Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam in 2015 exceeded the Malaysia Ambient Air Quality Standard, which were 60.13 µg/m3 and 66.22 µg/m3 respectively. It was due to high particulate event (HPE) that had affected Malaysia during the period of Southwest Monsoon, where the massive land and forest fires came from Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia. According to the wind rose rose diagram, the wind mostly blew from northeast in January until February as Malaysia experienced northeast monsoon where rainfall happened. Shah Alam received stronger wind compared to the Petaling Jaya because the topography of city.KeywordsAir qualityAir quality modelingHazeParticulate matter