Spatial interpolation patterns of PM10 based on location of virtual stations / Nur Razan Hayati Zainol

Air quality monitoring stations is important to monitor the condition of air pollution
and to control the air pollution. The limited number of existing air quality monitoring
station has limited the accuracy of air quality assessment in Malaysia especially at
micro-scale level. The aim of this study is to determine the spatial interpolation
patterns of Particulate Matter (PMIO) based on the location of virtual stations in Pulau
Pinang using Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and kriging interpolation
method. The objectives are to determine the virtual stations of PMIO and to identify
the spatial variation of PMIO asing kriging interpolation on virtual stations. In this
study, the satellite image of Landsat 8 OLI which consists of new spectral bands are
used to generate virtual stations based on the location of Continuous Air Quality
Monitoring (CAQM) stations. Kriging interpolation method is also carried out to
identify the spatial variation patterns in order to determine the concentration of PMIO.
Based on the result, there are 48 virtual stations generated based on the location of
CAQM stations in Pulau Pinang. It is found that the virtual stations within residential
area contribute the highest concentration of PMIO pollutants. Overall, the
concentration of PMIO based on virtual stations in Pulau Pinang is possible to be
identified. The finding has shown that the spatial interpolation pattern of PMIO is
possible to be demonstrated based on location of virtual station. This information can
be used by environmental department and local authorities for further development.