Impact of climatic parameters on spatiotemporal variation of air pollutants across Bangladesh

Abstract

This study analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution of atmospheric contaminants in seven distinct climatic subzones of Bangladesh and their interactions with meteorological variables. Monthly time series data for air pollutants and meteorological variables were collected using the Google Earth Engine platform. Pearson's correlation analysis assessed the relationship between pollutant concentrations and meteorological variables at each site. The key findings reveal a consistent nationwide increase in pollution levels, with the highest levels observed in winter and pre-monsoon seasons, gradually decreasing by the end of the pre-monsoon period, and reaching their lowest concentrations during the monsoon season. Pollutant concentrations started to rise again during the post-monsoon. Precipitation exhibited an inverse correlation with NO₂ and CO concentrations across various climatic regions and seasons. In contrast, O₃ displayed a moderate to strong positive correlation with rainfall and humidity. Temperature generally had a positive relationship with AAI, CO, and NO₂ concentrations, while wind speed showed a positive relationship with NO₂ and SO₂ concentrations. These findings provide valuable insights into the country's air quality and the intricate relationship between weather patterns and pollutant concentration.