The classification of PM10 concentrations in Johor Based on Seasonal Monsoons

• Published in: IOP conference series. Earth and environmental science Vol. 140; no. 1
• Main Authors: Abdul Hamid, Hazrul, Hanafi Rahmat, Muhamad, Aisyah Sapani, Siti
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.04.2018
• Subjects: Air quality; Air quality standards; Cluster analysis; Clustering; Contamination; Dry season; Haze; Monsoons; Particulate matter; Pollutants; Seasons; Stations; Statistical analysis; Wind
• ISSN: 1755-1307; 1755-1315
• DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/140/1/012028

Air is the most important living resource in life. Contaminated air could adversely affect human health and the environment, especially during the monsoon season. Contamination occurs as a result of human action and haze. There are several pollutants present in the air where one of them is PM10. Secondary data was obtained from the Department of Environment from 2010 until 2014 and was analyzed using the hourly average of PM10 concentrations. This paper examined the relation between PM10 concentrations and the monsoon seasons (Northeast Monsoon and Southwest Monsoon) in Larkin and Pasir Gudang. It was expected that the concentration of PM10 would be higher during the Southwest Monsoon as it is a dry season. The data revealed that the highest PM10 concentrations were recorded between 2010 to 2014 during this particular monsoon season. The characteristics of PM10 concentration were compared using descriptive statistics based on the monsoon seasons and classified using the hierarchical cluster analysis (Ward Methods). The annual average of PM10 concentration during the Southwest Monsoon had exceeded the standard set by the Malaysia Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (50 μg/m3) while the PM10 concentration during the Northeast Monsoon was below the acceptable level for both stations. The dendrogram displayed showed two clusters for each monsoon season for both stations excepted for the PM10 concentration during the Northeast Monsoon in Larkin which was classified into three clusters due to the haze in 2010. Overall, the concentration of PM10 in 2013 was higher based on the clustering shown for every monsoon season at both stations according to the characteristics in the descriptive statistics.