Influence of Southeast Asian Haze episodes on high PM10concentrations across Brunei Darussalam.
Particulate matter (PM10) is the key indicator of air quality index in Brunei Darussalam and the principal pollutant for haze related episodes in Southeast Asia. This study examined the temporal and spatial distribution of PM10base on a long-term monitoring data (2009-2014) in order to identify the emission sources and favorable meteorological conditions for high PM10concentrations across the country. PM10concentrations measured at the various locations differ significantly but the general temporal characteristics show clear patterns of seasonal variations across the country with the highest concentrations recorded during the southwest monsoon. The high PM10values defined in the study were not evenly distributed over the years but occurred mostly within the southwest monsoon months of June to September. Further investigations with bivariate polar concentrations plots and k-means clustering demonstrated the significant influence of Southeast Asian regional biomass fires on the high PM10concentrations recorded across the country. The results of the polar plots and cluster analyses were further confirmed by the evaluations with Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) backward air masses trajectories analysis and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) fire records. Among the meteorological variables considered, temperature, rainfall and relative humidity were the most important meteorological variables that influence the concentration throughout the year. High PM10values are associated with high temperatures and low amounts of rainfall and relative humidity. In addition, wind speed and direction also play significant role in the recorded high PM10concentrations and were mainly responsible for its seasonality during the study period.
Faculty of Integrated Technologies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam; UBD|IBM Centre, Knowledge Hub Building, BB3713, Brunei Darussalam. Electronic address: 14H0302@ubd.edu.bn.
Sam-Quarcoo
SQ
Dotse
Environmental Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam; UBD|IBM Centre, Knowledge Hub Building, BB3713, Brunei Darussalam.
Lalit
L
Dagar
Faculty of Integrated Technologies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam; UBD|IBM Centre, Knowledge Hub Building, BB3713, Brunei Darussalam.
Mohammad Iskandar
MI
Petra
Faculty of Integrated Technologies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam; UBD|IBM Centre, Knowledge Hub Building, BB3713, Brunei Darussalam.
Liyanage C
LC
De Silva
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D002010:Brunei; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005390:Fires; D008685:Meteorological Concepts; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D063809:Satellite Imagery; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014919:Wind
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter
Meteorological variables; PM(10); Receptor modeling; Southeast Asia Haze; Temporal-spatial characteristics