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First long-term air quality assessment in Luanda, Angola: Performance evaluation of a low-cost monitoring station against reference equipment
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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Low-cost air quality monitoring stations (LCMS), which integrate sensors for gases and particulate matter (PM), offer an economical solution for expanding monitoring networks. However, their reliability requires validation, particularly in rapidly urbanising regions with limited infrastructure. This study presents the first long-term, continuous, multi-pollutant air quality assessment in Luanda, Angola - where no monitoring stations currently exist - by evaluating the performance of an LCMS against reference-grade equipment. Daily averages, correlation metrics (R-2, RMSE), and a hybrid Bland-Altman/regression analyses were used to evaluate the agreement. Results indicated strong correlation for CO (R-2 = 0.96; RMSE = 0.24 ppm) and good for NO2 (R-2 = 0.81; RMSE = 6.35 ppb), although limitations near detection limits were noted. Significant challenges were identified in O-3 measurements (R-2 = 0.77, RMSE = 7.13 ppb), primarily due to strong cross-sensitivity to high ambient NO2 levels and potential sensor ageing. For PM10 and PM2.5, although good linear correlations (R-2 similar to 0.82) were observed with reference methods, the LCMS exhibited considerable systematic bias (RMSE over 46 mu g/m(-3)) and consistently underestimate concentrations. The study also registered frequent and severe exceedances of WHO AQG and EU standards for PM10, PM2.5, and NO2, underscoring significant public health risks. Despite limitations, particularly for O-3 measurements and biases in PM data, the LCMS demonstrates potential as a cost-effective tool to complement reference networks, enhance spatial monitoring coverage, identify pollution hotspots, and support air quality management in resource-constrained settings, since continuous calibration and validation procedures are implemented to mitigate measurement uncertainties.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Low-cost sensors Optical methods Beta attenuation monitor Gravimetric methods Luanda
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Da Silva, Alan V.; Furst, Leonardo; Cipoli, Yago A.; Soares, Marlene J. S.; Leitao, Anabela G. A.; Feliciano, Manuel; Alves, Celia A. (2026). First long-term air quality assessment in Luanda, Angola: Performance evaluation of a low-cost monitoring station against reference equipment. Atmospheric Pollution Research. ISSN 1309-1042. 17:2, p. 1-13
Editora
Elsevier