Introduction
The Air Unit plays a leading role in providing analytical services and consultancy in air quality monitoring. The samples analyzed mainly consist of wet deposition and dry deposition samples which are received from Malaysian Meteorological Department. The unit is also involved in providing analytical support services for the international air quality monitoring.
Acid Deposition can be distinguished by two pollutants process; wet deposition and dry deposition. Acid deposition occurs when pollutions such as SO 2 and NO 2 are emitted to the atmosphere, converted to H 2SO 4 and HNO 3 and fall onto the ground in the form of dry and wet deposition.
Wet Deposition can be deposited as rain, snow and mist, while dry deposition deposited as dust. The main effects that can be seen from the acid deposition are haze, lost of aquatic flora and fauna population, monument and corrosion of monuments and historical building.
Analytical services
| Type of samples | Main Parameters |
| | |
| Wet fallout | pH conductivity, Anion (Cl, NO 3, SO 4), Organic acid (Formate, Acetate, Oxalate), Cation (Na, NH4, K, Mg, Ca),Trace metals (Hg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cd) |
| | |
| Dry Fallout | |
| * Dust | Dust weight, Metals (Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mg, Ca, Hg) |
| * Filterpack | Particles (Cl, NO 3, SO 4, Na, NH 4, K, Mg, Ca) Gaseous (HCl, HNO 3, SO 2, NH 3) |
| * Passive sampler | Gaseous (SO 2, NO 2, NH 3, HNO 3, Oxalate) |
Analytical support services for The International Air Quality Monitoring
Acid Deposition
Figure shows the mechanism of acid deposition
Wet fallout
Examples of wet fallout samples
Preparation of standard calibration for wet fallout analysis
pH and conductivity analyses for wet fallout samples
Anion
Ion Chromatography for the analysis of anions
Cation
Ion Chromatography for the analysis of cations
Dust
Sample for dust weight analysis
Procedure for wash out of dust from container for analysis
Procedure for filtering of dust
Filterpack
Filterpack samples for analysis
Process of filter impregnation for sampling
Preparation of filters for extraction
Determination of cations by Ion Chromatography
Passive Sampler
Samples of passive samplers
Filter coating process for sampling
Preparation of filters for analysis
Main Effects
Deforestration
Haze in KL
Effects on aquatic life taken from acidic lake (left) and from normal pH lake (right)
Corroded of stone statue caused by acid rain
Courses attended in Japan and Thailand
Photograph taken during attending course at Thailand
Photograph taken during practical in Japan
Meeting with client and experts from overseas
Meeting with experts from overseas held in Department of Chemistry
Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 November 2009 13:56
