Spatiotemporal Variations of Particulate Matter and their Association with Criteria Pollutants and Meteorology in Malaysia

Abstract Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses a higher risk to human health than coarse particulate matter (PM10). This study aims to determine the spatiotemporal variations of PM2.5 and PM10 in Malaysia and their association with other criteria pollutants and meteorological factors. Hourly data fr...

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Main Authors: Anis Asma Ahmad Mohtar, Mohd Talib Latif, Doreena Dominick, Maggie Chel Gee Ooi, Azliyana Azhari, Nor Hafizah Baharudin, Norfazrin Mohd Hanif, Jing Xiang Chung, Liew Juneng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2022-07-01
Series:Aerosol and Air Quality Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.220124
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author Anis Asma Ahmad Mohtar
Mohd Talib Latif
Doreena Dominick
Maggie Chel Gee Ooi
Azliyana Azhari
Nor Hafizah Baharudin
Norfazrin Mohd Hanif
Jing Xiang Chung
Liew Juneng
author_facet Anis Asma Ahmad Mohtar
Mohd Talib Latif
Doreena Dominick
Maggie Chel Gee Ooi
Azliyana Azhari
Nor Hafizah Baharudin
Norfazrin Mohd Hanif
Jing Xiang Chung
Liew Juneng
author_sort Anis Asma Ahmad Mohtar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses a higher risk to human health than coarse particulate matter (PM10). This study aims to determine the spatiotemporal variations of PM2.5 and PM10 in Malaysia and their association with other criteria pollutants and meteorological factors. Hourly data from air quality monitoring stations for the year 2018 were retrieved from the Malaysian Department of Environment and analysed for temporal and spatial scales according to different regions in Malaysia. Further statistical analyses, such as Spearman’s Rank Correlation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), were conducted to study the associations between PM2.5 and PM10 with other main criteria air pollutants, as well as meteorological parameters. Higher mean concentrations of PM2.5 (23 ± 8 µg m–3, range = 4.6–158 µg m–3) and PM10 (32 ± 10 µg m–3, range = 6.0–181 µg m–3) were observed in the central region of the Malaysian Peninsula. The diurnal patterns of PM2.5 and PM10 were in a bimodal pattern and influenced by traffic emissions. The highest mean PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were recorded during the southwest monsoon season, notably in the central region. The Spearman’s Rank Correlation shows that NO2 and CO have a moderately positive correlation (p < 0.01) with PM2.5 (r = 0.47) and PM10 (r = 0.48) in the central regions while all meteorological parameters show significantly weak to very weak correlations with PM. The PCA analysis indicates that the major sources leading to the formation of particulate matter are from the contribution of secondary aerosols and combustion-related sources. The ratio of PM2.5 to PM10 ranged between 0.51 and 0.76 nationwide with the highest mean recorded in the central region (0.72). This study indicates that there is a higher abundance of fine particulate in the ambient air of the urbanised environment and thus a greater likely risk to human health in more developed areas.
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spelling doaj-art-66578226db82478589caa1b387b3f7282025-02-09T12:18:33ZengSpringerAerosol and Air Quality Research1680-85842071-14092022-07-0122912010.4209/aaqr.220124Spatiotemporal Variations of Particulate Matter and their Association with Criteria Pollutants and Meteorology in MalaysiaAnis Asma Ahmad Mohtar0Mohd Talib Latif1Doreena Dominick2Maggie Chel Gee Ooi3Azliyana Azhari4Nor Hafizah Baharudin5Norfazrin Mohd Hanif6Jing Xiang Chung7Liew Juneng8Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaDepartment of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaCentre for Atmospheric Chemistry, University of WollongongInstitute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaMonash Climate Change Communication Research Node, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Monash University MalaysiaDepartment of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaDepartment of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaFaculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia TerengganuDepartment of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaAbstract Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses a higher risk to human health than coarse particulate matter (PM10). This study aims to determine the spatiotemporal variations of PM2.5 and PM10 in Malaysia and their association with other criteria pollutants and meteorological factors. Hourly data from air quality monitoring stations for the year 2018 were retrieved from the Malaysian Department of Environment and analysed for temporal and spatial scales according to different regions in Malaysia. Further statistical analyses, such as Spearman’s Rank Correlation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), were conducted to study the associations between PM2.5 and PM10 with other main criteria air pollutants, as well as meteorological parameters. Higher mean concentrations of PM2.5 (23 ± 8 µg m–3, range = 4.6–158 µg m–3) and PM10 (32 ± 10 µg m–3, range = 6.0–181 µg m–3) were observed in the central region of the Malaysian Peninsula. The diurnal patterns of PM2.5 and PM10 were in a bimodal pattern and influenced by traffic emissions. The highest mean PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were recorded during the southwest monsoon season, notably in the central region. The Spearman’s Rank Correlation shows that NO2 and CO have a moderately positive correlation (p < 0.01) with PM2.5 (r = 0.47) and PM10 (r = 0.48) in the central regions while all meteorological parameters show significantly weak to very weak correlations with PM. The PCA analysis indicates that the major sources leading to the formation of particulate matter are from the contribution of secondary aerosols and combustion-related sources. The ratio of PM2.5 to PM10 ranged between 0.51 and 0.76 nationwide with the highest mean recorded in the central region (0.72). This study indicates that there is a higher abundance of fine particulate in the ambient air of the urbanised environment and thus a greater likely risk to human health in more developed areas.https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.220124Particulate matterSpatiotemporalAtmospheric gasesPrincipal Component AnalysisRatio PM2.5 to PM10
spellingShingle Anis Asma Ahmad Mohtar
Mohd Talib Latif
Doreena Dominick
Maggie Chel Gee Ooi
Azliyana Azhari
Nor Hafizah Baharudin
Norfazrin Mohd Hanif
Jing Xiang Chung
Liew Juneng
Spatiotemporal Variations of Particulate Matter and their Association with Criteria Pollutants and Meteorology in Malaysia
Aerosol and Air Quality Research
Particulate matter
Spatiotemporal
Atmospheric gases
Principal Component Analysis
Ratio PM2.5 to PM10
title Spatiotemporal Variations of Particulate Matter and their Association with Criteria Pollutants and Meteorology in Malaysia
title_full Spatiotemporal Variations of Particulate Matter and their Association with Criteria Pollutants and Meteorology in Malaysia
title_fullStr Spatiotemporal Variations of Particulate Matter and their Association with Criteria Pollutants and Meteorology in Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Spatiotemporal Variations of Particulate Matter and their Association with Criteria Pollutants and Meteorology in Malaysia
title_short Spatiotemporal Variations of Particulate Matter and their Association with Criteria Pollutants and Meteorology in Malaysia
title_sort spatiotemporal variations of particulate matter and their association with criteria pollutants and meteorology in malaysia
topic Particulate matter
Spatiotemporal
Atmospheric gases
Principal Component Analysis
Ratio PM2.5 to PM10
url https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.220124
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