Evaluation of transboundary impact on air pollution in a rural area Shyamnagar, Bangladesh

Abstract EN

Traditional biomass burning is a threatening air pollutant causing public health concern mostly seen in developing countries.

Long-range transport of pollutant tremendously enhances this threatening on air pollution.

To evaluate the air pollution, particulate matter (PM) samples (PM2.5) were collected from Male Declaration air quality monitoring station (MDAQMS) at Shyamnagar under Shatkhira district from December 01, 2012 to March 07, 2013 using Air Metrics MiniVol sampler.

The samples were analyzed for particulate matter (PM2.5) mass and black carbon (BC) concentrations.

The observed average PM2.5 concentration during December, February and March were 92.4, 94.3 and 63.4 μg/m3, respectively whereas the BC concentrations in PM2.5 were 20.1, 18.1 and 13.1 μg/m3, respectively.

The average BC concentration in PM2.5 is almost same in December and February but lower in March.

It was observed that concentration of PM and BC was higher with lower value of relative humidity and wind speed.

The average BC/PM2.5 ration during December, February and March were 0.22, 0.19 and 0.21, respectively.

The largest contribution of fine particulate matter and BC is the cooking (Indoor) and agricultural biomass burning.

Other sources are traditional brick kilns, motor vehicles, human haulers emission and long-range transport