Characteristics of Surface Ozone Concentrations at Stations with Different Backgrounds in the Malaysian Peninsula

Abstract

One of the main challenges for countries in tropical areas is the high concentration of ozone caused by elevated levels of anthropogenic and natural ozone precursors. In this study, variations in O 3 concentrations from urban, suburban and rural regions of the Malaysian Peninsula were investigated using data covering a five-year period (2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009) obtained from the Malaysian Department of the Environment. The principal aim of the study is to identify and describe the variations in O 3 concentrations recorded at three monitoring stations with different backgrounds, namely Petaling Jaya (S2) (urban), Putrajaya (S1) (suburban) and Jerantut (S3) (rural). The study also investigated the relationship between O 3 distribution and its association with nitrogen oxides (NO and NO 2 ) and non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC). The results showed that the highest O 3 concentration was recorded in a suburban area (Putrajaya (S1) with an average daily maximum value of 60 ± 20 ppbv). The O 3 concentration was influenced by the characteristics of nitrogen oxides, particularly the titration of NO. The surface O 3 level was found to be influenced by solar radiation and wind direction from the busy areas, most notably Kuala Lumpur's city centre. This study suggests that the emission of O 3 precursors, particularly NO x from motor vehicles, needs to be regulated to reduce the incidence of high O 3 levels in Malaysia.

The Influence of Spatial Variability of Critical Conversion Point (CCP) in Production of Ground Level Ozone in the Context of Tropical Climate

“…Jerantut as a background station is located at MMS (Meteorology Monitoring Station), Batu Embun. The station is surrounded by the agricultural area and traditional Malaysian villages (Banan et al, 2013). According to Azmi et al (2010), the source of the air pollution in Jerantut is expected to be natural forest fires, open burning, soil dust, and motor vehicles.…”

The Relationship between Daily Maximum Temperature and Daily Maximum Ground Level Ozone Concentration

“…The combination of anthropogenic and biogenic O 3 precursor species usually leads to high concentrations of O 3 in the areas between highly populated urban centres and more forested or rural areas [2,[4][5]. Every day, millions of people around the world suffer from the harmful effects of ground-level ozone pollution, which worsens lung diseases such as asthma and can cause breathing difficulties even in healthy individuals [6][7].…”

Fitting Statistical Distributions Functions on Ozone Concentration Data at Coastal Areas

“…The ozone concentration was measured by ASMA using Teledyne Ozone Analyzer Model 400 A UV Absorption [23]. The data was collected every hour and the unit measurement is part per million (ppm).…”