Analysis of Ozone column burden in Peninsular Malaysia retrieved from Atmosphere Infrared Sounder (AIRS) data: 2003–2009

Ozone (O₃) is a radiatively active trace gas that plies important role in atmosphere heating rates because of its good ability to absorb the infrared radiation and occur both at the ground level and naturally in the earth´s upper atmosphere. Results from the analysis of the retrieved monthly (AIRX3STM) 1°×1° spatial resolution Atmosphere Infrared Sounder (AIRS) data were utilized to analyze the distribution of O₃ column burden in Peninsular Malaysia for the period 2003-2009. AIRS is one of the several instruments onboard the Earth Observing System (EOS), onboard NASA´s Aqua Satellite, launched on May 4, 2002. The analysis of O₃ above five dispersed stations in study area shows the seasonal variation in the O₃ values fluctuated considerably between wet and dry periods, and O₃ values strongly correlated with weather conditions. The lowest O₃ observed during rainy months, low temperature and low sunshine hours, vice versa. The highest O₃ values occurred over Industrial and congested urban zones. The monthly O₃ maps were generated, to study O₃ distribution over peninsular Malaysia for 2009, using Kriging Interpolation technique. The AIRS data and the Satellite measurements are able to measure the increase of the atmosphere O₃ concentrations over different regions.