Studies of Atmospheric PM_(2.5) and its Inorganic Water Soluble Ions and Trace Elements around Southeast Asia: a Review

摘要

Air pollution is a worldwide issue that is mainly caused from excessive inhalation of hazardous PM_(2.5) pollutant that is emitted into the air. The objective of this study is to assess the fundamental knowledge revolving PM_(2.5) (particles aerodynamic diameter of lower than or equal to 2.5 μm) and its inorganic composition in ambient air of urban areas, mainly in Malaysia in comparison to other Southeast Asia countries. This research also investigates the theory of particle number concentration (PNC) with PM_(2.5), also the health effects and origins of the emissions. The factors affecting the PM_(2.5) mass include the local emission, El Nino phenomenon, land, meteorological effects, monsoons, rainfall events, sea breeze, transboundary pollution and seasonal changes. 24 h mean PM_(2.5) mass concentration for metropolitan regions in the SEA is in the range of 11 μgm~(-3) and 72.3 μgm~(-3), while between 5.30 μgm~(-3) and 55.89 μgm~(-3) for semi-urban zones. For rural area, the 24 h mean PM_(2.5) value is about 30 μgm~(-3). The findings indicate that metals in PM_(2.5) emission are frequently Pb, Se, Zn, Cd, As, Bi, Ba, Cu, Rb, V, Ni, Fe, Ca, Mn, Cr, Al, Si and K, where Zn has the uppermost range of 133.50 to 419.30 ngm~(-3) while the major water-soluble ions exist are NH4_4~+, K~+, Ca~(2+), Na~+, in which Na~+, NH_4~+ and Cl- are present in aged sea salt and mixed industrial, Ca~(2+) and Mg~(2+) present in mineral dust, NH_4~+, K~+ and SO_4~(2-) present in mixture of SIA and biomass burning. There is a high correlation between the particle mass concentration and PNC level, especially the ones in accumulation mode (PNC_(0.1-1.0)) which are mostly originated from the emission of heavy traffic streets.