scholarly journals Spatio-temporal variations of lower tropospheric pollutants and their relation with meteorological factors in Karachi, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilshad Ahmed ◽  
Zafar Iqbal Shams ◽  
Moinuddin Ahmed ◽  
Muhammad Fahim Siddique
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Meteorological Factors ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
Oxides Of Nitrogen ◽  
Housing Authority ◽  
Emission Standards ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
The City

Abstract Despite being one of the most populated cities globally, the air quality of Karachi is hardly ever comprehended. The present paper investigates the outdoor concentrations of 10 air pollutants, viz. NO, NO2, NOx, SO2, CO, O3, CH4, methane carbon, non-methane hydrocarbons, and total hydrocarbons at three different city sites, viz., Sohrab Goth, Defense Housing Authority, and North Nazimabad. The results demonstrate that these pollutants severely affected the city's air quality. The annual mean concentrations of both NO2 and SO2 exceeded the WHO guidelines at some study sites. The city experiences varied concentrations of major air pollutants because three types of fuel, viz. diesel, gasoline, and compressed natural gas, operate the motor vehicles in this conurbation. The study also correlates the various air pollutants with each other and with various meteorological factors. All the three oxides of nitrogen are statistically associated at all three sites with one another, with SO2 at Defense Housing Authority, with CO at North Nazimabad, and with meteorological factors at Sohrab Goth and Defense Housing Authority. Carbon monoxide is statistically associated with the meteorological factors only at North Nazimabad. The study suggests that higher air pollution in the city is due to the adoption of lenient vehicular emission standards because stringent emission standards cannot be adopted due to the non-availability of low or zero sulfur fuel. Moreover, ineffective regulation of exiting standards also contributes to higher vehicular emissions in the city.

scholarly journals Combination of data-driven models and interpolation technique to develop of PM10 map for Hanoi, Vietnam

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dung Anh Nguyen ◽  
Son Hong Duong ◽  
Phuong Anh Tran ◽  
Hai Hoang Cao ◽  
Bang Quoc Ho
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Meteorological Factors ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Central Area ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Interpolation Technique ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Abstract The degradation of air quality is the most concerned issue of our society due to its harmful impacts on human health, especially in cities with rapid urbanization and population growth like Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. This study aims at developing a new approach that combines data-driven models and interpolation technique to develop the PM10 concentration maps from meteorological factors for the central area of Hanoi. Data-driven models that relate the PM10 concentration with the meteorological factors at the air quality monitoring stations in the study area were developed using the Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithms. Models’ performance comparison showed that ANN models yielded better goodness-of-fit indices than MLR models at all stations in the study area with average coefficient of correlation (r) and Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency Index (NSE) of 0.51 and 0.34 for the former, and 0.7 and 0.49 for the latter. These indices indicates that the ANN-based data-driven models outperformed the MLR-based models. Thus, the ANN-based models and the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation technique were then combined for mapping the monthly PM10 concentration with a spatial resolution of 1 km from global meteorological data. With this combination, the PM10 concentration maps account for both local PM10 concentration and impacts of spatio-temporal variations of meteorological factors on the PM10 concentration. This study provides a promising method to predict the PM concentration with a high spatio-temporal resolution from meteorological data.

scholarly journals Contribution of Local and Transboundary Air Pollution to the Urban Air Quality of Fukuoka, Japan

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 431
Author(s):  
Ayako Yoshino ◽  
Akinori Takami ◽  
Keiichiro Hara ◽  
Chiharu Nishita-Hara ◽  
Masahiko Hayashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Gaseous Species ◽  
Transboundary Air Pollution ◽  
Local Air Pollution ◽  
The City

Transboundary air pollution (TAP) and local air pollution (LAP) influence the air quality of urban areas. Fukuoka, located on the west side of Japan and affected by TAP from the Asian continent, is a unique example for understanding the contribution of LAP and TAP. Gaseous species and particulate matter (PM) were measured for approximately three weeks in Fukuoka in the winter of 2018. We classified two distinctive periods, LAP and TAP, based on wind speed. The classification was supported by variations in the concentration of gaseous species and by backward trajectories. Most air pollutants, including NOx and PM, were high in the LAP period and low in the TAP period. However, ozone was the exception. Therefore, our findings suggest that reducing local emissions is necessary. Ozone was higher in the TAP period, and the variation in ozone concentration was relatively small, indicating that ozone was produced outside of the city and transported to Fukuoka. Thus, air pollutants must also be reduced at a regional scale, including in China.

scholarly journals Spatio-Temporal Variation of Particulate Matter(PM2.5) Concentrations and Its Health Impacts in a Mega City, Delhi in India

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 117863021879286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Kumar Gorai ◽  
Paul B Tchounwou ◽  
SS Biswal ◽  
Francis Tuluri
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Air Quality Index ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Quality Level ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Rising concentration of air pollution and its associated health effects is rapidly increasing in India, and Delhi, being the capital city, has drawn our attention in recent years. This study was designed to analyze the spatial and temporal variations of particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in a mega city, Delhi. The daily PM2.5 concentrations monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), New Delhi during November 2016 to October 2017 in different locations distributed in the region of the study were used for the analysis. The descriptive statistics indicate that the spatial mean of monthly average PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 45.92 μg m−3 to 278.77 μg m−3. The maximum and minimum spatial variance observed in the months of March and September, respectively. The study also analyzed the PM2.5 air quality index (PM2.5—Air Quality Index (AQI)) for assessing the health impacts in the study area. The AQI value was determined according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) system. The result suggests that most of the area had the moderate to very unhealthy category of PM2.5-AQI and that leads to severe breathing discomfort for people residing in the area. It was observed that the air quality level was worst during winter months (October to January).

Air Quality in Riga and Its Improvement Options

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (-1) ◽  
pp. 72-78
Author(s):  
Janis Kleperis ◽  
Gunars Bajars ◽  
Ingrida Bremere ◽  
Martins Menniks ◽  
Arturs Viksna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Particle Pollution ◽  
The City

Air Quality in Riga and Its Improvement Options Air quality in the city of Riga is evaluated from direct monitoring results and from accounting registered air pollutants in the city. It is concluded that from all air polluting substances listed in the European Commission directives, only nitrogen dioxide NO2 and particulate matter PM10 exceed the limits. In assessing the projected measures to improve air quality in Riga, it can be concluded that the implementation of cleaner fuels and improvements in energy efficiency of household and industrial sectors will decrease particle pollution, but measures in the transport sector will also contribute to reducing air pollution from nitrogen oxides.

Relating Vehicle Emission Regulations to Air Quality

1988 ◽  
Vol 202 (4) ◽  
pp. 235-242
Author(s):  
M L Williams
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
Vehicle Emission ◽  
Gaseous Pollutants ◽  
Oxides Of Nitrogen ◽  
Emission Regulations ◽  
European Regulations ◽  
Emission Limits ◽  
The Relationship

The European regulations governing the emissions of gaseous pollutants from gasoline-engined motor vehicles is reviewed and discussed, including the so-called ‘Luxembourg Agreement’. The relationship between the regulation emission limits and those measured in practice from ‘as-received’ vehicles in use is also discussed. Having discussed the relationship between regulations and emissions, the further relationships between vehicle emissions and air quality are also discussed, giving particular attention to carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and lead.

scholarly journals Positive correlation between long term emission of several air pollutants and COVID-19 deaths in Sweden

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Helander
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Meteorological Factors ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Average Wind ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Positive Correlations

AbstractSeveral recent studies have found troubling links between air pollution and both incidence and mortality of COVID-19, the pandemic disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. Here, we investigate whether such a link can be found also in Sweden, a country with low population density and a relatively good air quality in general, with low background levels of important pollutants such as PM2.5 and NO2. The investigation is carried out by relating normalized emission levels of several air pollutants to normalized COVID-19 deaths at the municipality level, after applying a sieve function using an empirically determined threshold value to filter out noise. We find a fairly strong correlation for PM2.5, PM10 and SO2, and a moderate one for NOx. We find no correlation neither for CO, nor (as expected) for CO2. Our results are statistically significant and the calculations are simple and easily verifiable. Since the study considers only emission levels of air pollutants and not measurements of air quality, climatic and meteorological factors (such as average wind speeds) can trivially be ruled out as confounders. Finally, we also show that although there are small positive correlations between population density and COVID-19 deaths in the studied municipalities (which are for the most part rural and non densely populated) they are either weak or not statistically significant.

scholarly journals Air Quality Effects of Pollutant Gases from Brick Kilns near Chennai

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 2284-2291
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
Oxides Of Nitrogen ◽  
Brick Kiln ◽  
Pollution Effects ◽  
Brick Kilns ◽  
Toxic Pollutant ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2 ◽  
Pollutant Gases

Brick kiln industries are commonly found in most of the regions in our country. Many private sectors consider this type of industry more as a business rather than giving importance to hygiene and health aspects. This work has focused on the air pollutants emitted from brick kiln industries near Chennai and its environmental effects. Majority of pollutants emitted were found to be oxides of nitrogen (NOx ), carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and oxides of sulphur (SOx ). Generally all these gases have adverse bad effects on the well health of human community. Workers in brick kiln industries are directly inhaling toxic pollutant gases and suffer with various health complexities. Sampling sites were chosen based on last five years historical data. Experimental survey was done in the chosen sampling sites to observe the severity of pollution around the place. Time bound study and observation was conducted to know the pollution effects in various months ranging from October 2018 to February 2019. Air Quality Index (AQI) was calculated and remedial measures were suggested.

scholarly journals Temporal analysis of air pollutants in the most affected monsoon region

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 229
Author(s):  
Omar Kairan ◽  
Nur Nasehah Zainudin ◽  
Nurul Hasya Mohd Hanafiah ◽  
Nur Emylia Arissa Mohd Jafri ◽  
Fukayhah Fatiha @Suhami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Temporal Analysis ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Air Pollutant

Air pollution has become an issue at all rates in the world. In Malaysia, there is a system is known as air quality index (API) used to indicate the overall air quality in the country where the air pollutants include or the new ambient air quality standard are sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3) and particulate matter with size less than 10 (PM10). The concentration levels of the air pollutants were said to be affected by the monsoon changes. Therefore, this study is conducted to examine the existence of temporal variations of each air pollutant then identify the differences of each air pollutants concentration in temporal variations. This study uses secondary data where data that has been retrieved from the Department of Environment (DOE) where it is data of air pollution specifically for Kota Bharu, kelantan records. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis was conducted to group monthly air quality. As a conclusion, the study can conclude that the five air pollutants grouped into several different monthly clusters mostly representing the two main monsoon seasons. Mostly air pollutant varied accordingly towards the monsoon season. During the southwestern monsoon, air pollutant concentration tends to higher compare to the northeastern monsoon with mostly due to meteorological factors.

scholarly journals LIFE MONZA: project description and actions’ updating

Noise Mapping ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Bartalucci ◽  
Francesco Borchi ◽  
Monica Carfagni ◽  
Rocco Furferi ◽  
Lapo Governi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Low Emission ◽  
Project Description ◽  
Air Quality Improvement ◽  
The City

Abstract The introduction of Low Emission Zones, urban areas subject to road traffic restrictions in order to ensure compliance with the air pollutants limit values set by the European Directive on ambient air quality (2008/50/EC), is a common and well-established action in the administrative government of cities. The impacts on air quality improvement are widely analysed, whereas the effects and benefits concerning the noise have not been addressed in a comprehensive manner. As a consequence, the definition, the criteria for the analysis and the management methods of a Noise Low Emission Zone are not clearly expressed and shared yet. The LIFE MONZA project (Methodologies fOr Noise low emission Zones introduction And management - LIFE15 ENV/IT/000586) addresses these issues. The first objective of the project, co-funded by the European Commission, is to introduce an easy-replicable method for the identification and the management of the Noise Low Emission Zone, an urban area subject to traffic restrictions, whose impacts and benefits regarding noise issues will be analyzed and tested in the pilot area of the city of Monza, located in Northern Italy. Background conditions, structure, objectives of the project and actions’ progress will be discussed in this article.

scholarly journals Roadside Air Quality Forecasting in Shanghai with a Novel Sequence-to-Sequence Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (24) ◽  
pp. 9471
Author(s):  
Dongsheng Wang ◽  
Hong-Wei Wang ◽  
Chao Li ◽  
Kai-Fa Lu ◽  
Zhong-Ren Peng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Traffic Management ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Learning Ability ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Deterministic Models ◽  
Co Concentrations ◽  
Air Quality Forecasting

The establishment of an effective roadside air quality forecasting model provides important information for proper traffic management to mitigate severe pollution, and for alerting resident’s outdoor plans to minimize exposure. Current deterministic models rely on numerical simulation and the tuning of parameters, and empirical models present powerful learning ability but have not fully considered the temporal periodicity of air pollutants. In order to take the periodicity of pollutants into empirical air quality forecasting models, this study evaluates the temporal variations of air pollutants and develops a novel sequence to sequence model with weekly periodicity to forecast air quality. Two-year observation data from Shanghai roadside air quality monitoring stations are employed to support analyzing and modeling. The results conclude that the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations show obvious daily and weekly variations, and the temporal patterns are nearly consistent with the periodicity of traffic flow in Shanghai. Compared with PM2.5, the CO concentrations are more affected by traffic variation. The proposed model outperforms the baseline model in terms of accuracy, and presents a higher linear consistency in PM2.5 prediction and lower errors in CO prediction. This study could assist environmental researchers to further improve the technologies for urban air quality forecasting, and serve as tools for supporting policymakers to implement related traffic management and emission control policies.

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