Trajectory-geospatial approach using HYSPLIT Model in determining air pollution sources at Pasir Gudang industrial areas

Abstract

Industrial air pollutants emissions can be hazardous to human health and the environment. This study aims to determine the source of air pollution exposure in Malaysia's busiest industrial area, Pasir Gudang by using the trajectory-geospatial approach. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model was used to determine the pathway of air backwards-trajectory. While the geospatial analysis for air pollution sources identification in Pasir Gudang was conducted using Geographic Information System (GIS). Three days of air mass backwards-trajectories were successfully obtained, where the dominant air mass pathways direction came from West Sumatra, Indonesia, influenced by the Southwest monsoon wind. The air mass backwards-trajectories also show there are influenced by nearby factories' emissions. From the geospatial buffer analysis, about 17 to 60 factories were identified to be possible sources of air pollution exposure since the location of factories are within a 1 km buffer zone of six affected schools in Pasir Gudang. The meteorological factors that influence the flow of high emissions of air masses pollutant from nearby factories have worsened the exposure level of air pollution until impacted the health of school’s students. From the findings, a standard of procedure (SOP) for air pollution source identification using a trajectory-geospatial approach has been developed as a guideline for all the stakeholders involved and essential in understanding better strategies in monitoring and mitigating industrial air pollution, particularly in Pasir Gudang as the buffer zones required by the authorities are not actively functioning to mitigate the air pollution exposures. Keywords: Air pollution, buffer zones, HYSPLIT, industrial area, Pasir Gudang, trajectory-geospatial approach