Sains Malaysiana 53(3)(2024): 623-633

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2024-5303-11

Twenty Years of Air Pollutant Index Trend Analysis in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia (2000-2019)

(20 Tahun Analisis Trend Indeks Pencemaran Udara di Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia (2000-2019))

SITI HASYYATI DRAHMAN, HISYAMMUDIN MASERI*, MAQUELINE CYNDI NAP & ZETTY BAIDURI HOSSEN

Faculty of Engineering and Technology, i-CATS University College, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Received: 24 September 2023/Accepted: 16 February 2024

Abstract

Sarawak is expected to face environmental challenges due to air pollution arising from industrial emissions and urbanisation as it strives towards achieving developed and high-income status by 2030. Therefore, it is important to conduct a comprehensive Air Pollutant Index (API) trend analysis. There are currently limited studies on API trend analysis that focus on Kuching, the capital known for its extensive industrial zones and densely populated urban centre. The main focus of this study was to perform a comprehensive analysis of the API trends in the Kuching region over a period of 20 years (2000-2019) using a visual representation in the form of a contour plot. To achieve this purpose, a five-term Fourier model was employed to predict the missing API data using Matlab software. Then, a complete version of a contour plot was developed to clearly illustrate the fluctuations in air quality over time. It was found that a five-term Fourier model used to forecast missing API data provides a strong correlation with the API readings, with most of the R values greater than 0.91. Moreover, the generated contour plot demonstrates a visual congruence between the forecasted data and the original dataset. Elevated API readings, signifying highly detrimental air quality, were primarily identified as a result of haze episodes stemming from uncontrolled fires in neighbouring countries, particularly during El Niño events. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of API trends in Kuching by means of the contour plot.

Keywords: Air Pollutant Index; contour plot; five-term Fourier model; Kuching; trend analysis

Abstrak

Sarawak dijangka menghadapi cabaran alam sekitar disebabkan oleh pencemaran udara yang berpunca daripada pelepasan industri dan perbandaran, seiring dengan usahanya untuk mencapai status maju dan berpendapatan tinggi menjelang tahun 2030. Oleh itu, adalah penting untuk menjalankan analisis arah aliran Indeks Pencemaran Udara (IPU) yang komprehensif. Kajian mengenai analisis arah aliran IPU yang tertumpu kepada Kuching, ibu negeri yang terkenal dengan zon perindustrian yang luas dan pusat bandar yang padat, masih terhad pada masa kini. Fokus utama kajian ini adalah untuk menjalankan analisis menyeluruh terhadap arah aliran IPU di kawasan Kuching dalam tempoh 20 tahun (2000-2019) dengan menggunakan penggambaran visual dalam bentuk plot kontur. Bagi mencapai tujuan ini, model Fourier lima-terma digunakan untuk meramalkan data IPU yang hilang dengan menggunakan perisian Matlab. Kemudian, plot kontur versi lengkap dibangunkan untuk menggambarkan dengan jelas perubahan dalam kualiti udara sepanjang masa. Didapati bahawa model Fourier lima-terma yang digunakan untuk meramalkan data IPU yang hilang memberikan korelasi yang kuat dengan bacaan IPU, dengan kebanyakan nilai R melebihi 0.91. Selain itu, plot kontur yang dihasilkan menunjukkan keselarasan visual antara data yang diramalkan dan dataset asal. Bacaan IPU yang tinggi menunjukkan kualiti udara yang sangat buruk, terutamanya dikenal pasti sebagai hasil daripada episod jerebu yang berpunca daripada kebakaran tanpa kawalan di negara-negara jiran, terutamanya semasa peristiwa El Niño. Penemuan kajian ini menyumbang kepada pemahaman yang lebih baik mengenai arah aliran IPU di Kuching melalui plot kontur.

Kata kunci: Analisis arah aliran; Indeks Pencemaran Udara; Kuching; model Fourier lima-terma; plot kontur

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*Corresponding author; email: hisyammudinmaseri@icats.edu.my