Rekod Jangka Panjang Kualiti Udara di Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia (Long-Term Records of Air Quality in Langkawi Islands, Malaysia)

Abstract

Studies on air quality were carried out in Langkawi, Kedah to determine the status and trend of air quality of this tourism island. The determination of air quality was based on several parameters such as suspended solids with diameters that were less than 10 micrometer (PM10) and gaseous pollutants of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO). The data for this study were obtained from the regular monitoring data as collected by Alam Sekitar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (ASMA) on behalf of Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE) at their stations in Langkawi. Results show that the average concentration of PM10, SO2, NO2, O3 and CO at all sampling stations are still below the permissible values recommended by DOE. Long-term air quality trend based on data of years 1998 to 2007 show increasing trends of suspended particulate matter as PM10. The concentrations of PM10 and O3, however, are predominantly related to regional tropical factors, such as the influence of biomass burning and of ultra violet radiation from sunlight. Additionally, meteorological factors, particularly the ambient temperature and wind speed, may influence the concentration of PM10 in the atmosphere. Based on the results of the study some measures are recommended, especially to control the number of vehicles as well as improve the public transport system to ensure that the status of air quality in Langkawi is continuously protected, thus contributing to the wellbeing of communities in Langkawi.

Keywords: Status of air quality, tourism areas, long term record

ABSTRAK

Kajian terhadap kualiti udara telah dijalankan di Langkawi Kedah untuk menentukan status dan corak bahan pencemar udara di pulau perlancongan ini. Penentuan kualiti udara telah dijalankan berdasarkan beberapa parameter seperti zarahan terampai yang mempunyai saiz diameter lebih kecil daripada 10 mikrometer (PM10), gas- gas seperti sulfur dioksida (SO2), nitrogen dioksida (NO2), ozon (O3) dan karbon monoksida (CO). Data kualiti udara telah diperolehi daripada stesen pemonitoran Alam Sekitar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (ASMA) yang menjalankan kerja-kerja pemonitoran kualiti udara bagi pihak Jabatan Alam Sekitar Malaysia (JAS). Hasil kajian menunjukkan purata kepekatan jangka panjang PM10, SO2, NO2, O3 dan CO adalah masih di bawah paras yang disarankan oleh Jabatan Alam Sekitar Malaysia. Status kualiti udara di stesen ini jelas dipengaruhi oleh kenderaan bermotor. Kepekatan PM10 menunjukkan peningkatan yang ketara dari tahun 1998 hingga ke tahun 2007. Pengaruh luaran seperti faktor pembakaran biojisim dan sinaran ultra ungu (UV) juga mempengaruhi bahan pencemar udara seperti PM10 dan O3. Faktor meteorologi seperti kelembapan udara dan suhu juga boleh mempengaruhi status kualiti udara di pulau ini. Hasil kajian ini mencadangkan beberapa langkah penting terutama dalam pengawalan jumlah kenderaan dan penambahbaikan pengangkutan awam bagi memastikan status kualiti udara di Langkawi terus terpelihara dan secara langsung menyumbang kepada kesejahteraan komuniti di Langkawi.

Kata kunci: Status kualiti udara, kawasan pelancongan, rekod jangka panjang