Analysis of PM10 in urban and rural environment in Sumatra Island over the past half-decade

Abstract

Particulate Matter 10 (PM10) is an inhalable particle with a diameter smaller than 10 μm that disrupt the health of human respiratory. The distribution of PM10 varies depending on the region. This study aims to analyze the temporal distribution of PM10 in Sumatra Island, Indonesia, as one of the forest fires prone areas that affect neighboring countries, over the past half-decade. Study location was devided into two, Pekanbaru, Medan, Batam, and Palembang represent urban; and Jambi and Aceh represent rural areas, as we want to see the difference of variation of PM10 between two different locations of pollution source. In general, the results showed that the average PM10 concentration throughout the past half-decade was below the value threshold in all regions. The monthly PM10 concentration in rural areas is below the threshold except in Jambi, a monthly concentration above the threshold is in October. While the monthly PM10 concentration in urban areas tends to be above the threshold except for Batam and Pekanbaru. The monthly concentration of PM10 above the threshold occurs in Medan and Palembang in October. For trends in the rural and urban area, it shows different. Pekanbaru and Palembang which are located in urban area has significant decrease trend of concentration. For diurnal, the hourly average value tends to have different pattern in both urban and rural areas. PM10 concentrations in urban areas tend to be low in the morning and high during the day and rise again at night. The frequency of PM10 concentration above the threshold which is >10% occurrences is only in Medan and Palembang. Others have less than 10% occurrences of the frequency of PM10 concentration below the threshold.