Spatial and Temporal Trends of PM₁₀ and SO₂ in the Richards Bay Area

Clean Air Journal

article

Nick O. Okello¹  Sandy Camminga²  Tom W. Okello¹  Mark Zunckel³ 

[1] University of Free State, Private Bag X13;Richards Bay Clean Air Association (RBCAA);uMoya-NILU Consulting

关键词: air quality;    trends;    status;    Richards Bay;   

DOI  :  10.17159/2410-972X/2018/v28n2a20

学科分类：土木及结构工程学

来源: National Association for Clean Air

【 摘 要 】

Air pollution is a public health emergency (WHO, 2016a). It is the biggest environmental risk to health with a global responsibility for about 1 in 9 deaths annually. In 2013, Statistics SA indicated that 10 % of all deaths in South Africa were attributed to respiratory diseases. Areas with increased industrial growth such as Richards Bay are particularly vulnerable. The paper analyses the spatial and temporal concentration trends of PM₁₀ and SO₂ in Richards Bay over the last two decades; specifically, since the promulgation of national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and minimum emissions standards (MES). Mann-Kendell trend tests was applied to monitoring data from the Richards Bay Clean Air Association (RBCAA) to test for an improving or worsening trend and the significance thereof. The pollution concentration data was also compared to NAAQS and the WHO annual guidelines. Overall, results indicate that although there has been a downward trend in the concentration of PM₁₀ and SO₂ emissions in the study area, the trends are not statistically significant. However, there was indication of statistically significant reducing trends in ambient concentrations at some stations. The concentrations at all stations were below NAAQS.

【 授权许可】

CC BY