Passive Sampler Monitoring Networks for SO2 and NO2 in 30 provinces of Indonesia
Monitoring of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was conducted during 2005 and 2006 in 30 provinces, (Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau, West Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu, South Sumatra, Lampung, Bangka Belitung, Banten, DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, DI Yogyakarta, East Java, East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua, and the Serpong area) in order to evaluate the national air quality and its effects. The sampling locations were selected to represent 3 different areas, namely industrial, commercial, and residential.
The passive sampler used in this study was prepared by local technicians following the specifications of the CSIRO passive sampler. Verification and validation of the locally produced passive samplers was conducted in order to ensure their accuracy and precision. Quality assurance and control procedures were applied during the survey to ensure the reliability of the measurements. The CSIRO protocols for sampling and analysis of the passive samplers were adopted to this study.
It was concluded from the two 2 years of monitoring data that the western part of Indonesia has a higher concentration of NO2 compared to the eastern part due to the larger number of vehicles in this part of the country. The situation was different for SO2 concentration, with all provinces showing similar ambient concentrations. The higher concentration of SO2 in Central Java appeared to be related to volcanic activity, and in Gorontalo there was an effect of an electric power source. Some industrial areas, such as central and south Kalimantan, also had higher SO2 concentrations.