Professional Documents
Culture Documents
AbstractWe propose a novel system that collects air With an Ecological Footprint index of 1.2 in 2011, UAE
sampling field data for a given location in 3D space. A drone stands high hence demand for sustainability should be
mounted with relevant components for air quality measuring is adequately addressed. Significant sectors of the global
deployed. Data collected from the system will be efficiently economy that use energy are industry, residential, commercial,
transmitted to the storing and monitoring devices. Knowledge of and transportation. The first case study completed in April
existing air pollutants levels and patterns are taken into 2010 by the Ministry of Environment and Water Office [2]
consideration in order to analyse a given situation. Data will be revealed that the household sector is the main contributor to the
stored in cloud storage for further analysis and record keeping. UAEs Ecological Footprint at 57 percent followed by business
Results show the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
and industry at 30 percent then the government at 12 percent.
KeywordsAir quality; data collection; drones; pollution In comparison, Fig. 1 shows the key global greenhouse gases
levels; sustainable systems. emitted by human activities in 2010 [3]. Here, fossil fuel use is
the primary source of CO2 and it is the main concern at the
moment although a slight decline has been recorded in 2015.
I. INTRODUCTION
The discovery of oil and gas in the Gulf region has
enormously contributed to the development of the region from
a harsh desert environment to a modern day, competitive
lifestyle with its high rises and technological applications. In
fact, the United Arab Emirates is one of the foremost countries
in the region when it comes to modern day expansions. With
this rapid growth and modernization, it is necessary to evaluate
the environmental effects that contribute to the global health
matters. Recently, concerns have been expressed both
nationally and internationally on air quality. Factors like
increased population, industrial activities and traffic emissions
have contributed to an unhealthy and unsafe environment.
In January 2015, The National newspaper of UAE reported
that the UAE released 199.65 million tonnes of carbon dioxide
and other greenhouse gases in 2013. Electricity and water
generation accounted for the bulk of emissions at 33 percent. Fig. 1. Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Courtesy of US Environmental
Road transport accounted for 22 percent, while oil and gas Protection Agency)
sector accounted for 15 percent. Although it showed that the The worlds CO2 emission fell in 2015, however, it should
countrys overall contribution to climate change is not be celebrated yet. For global awareness, it is yet to be fully
insignificant, it has a high per capita rate. embraced by all for its courses and consequences that lies
Previous studies on the indoor air quality by William E. ahead. The events that has taken place contributing to this
Funk and et al [1] showed that the indoor air quality in the slight dip is of global significant importance. Fig. 2 shows the
UAE was within the range of other indoor air study findings in slight dip of CO2 global emissions from fossil fuel use and
developing countries. This study was designed to monitor industry [4]. Literature has revealed that since 1990 nitrogen
outdoor air quality at selected zones with particular interest in dioxide has been monitored from space and there has been an
bigger cities and heavily populated industrial zones for upward trend of high emission particularly in major cities
emissions directed towards Carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen around the world over the period 20052014 in which Fig. 3
dioxide (NO2), Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter shows Tropospheric NO2 level over the Middle East [5].
(PM10). Pollutants targeted were selected based on common Recent study by J. Lelieveld and et al [6] revealed the abrupt
exposures that occupants in the UAE would encounter. trend changes in the atmospheric nitrogen dioxide over the
Fig. 2. CO2 Global emissions from fossil fuel and industry (Courtesy of US
Geological Survey)
An outdoor ambient real-time air quality monitoring system Fig. 4. Sensor mounted Phantom III drone on a data capturing mission.
was designed in [7]. This system has the capability of sensing
the concentration of O3, NO2, CO and H2S and transmitted The rest of the paper is organized as follows. In Section II,
back to the backend server through the GPRS wireless proposed methodology in collecting different emission levels
communication link in every minute. The earth and its using drones is presented. Data capturing and transmitting with
atmosphere increasingly faces the challenges of sustaining a desired sensors are given in Section III. Results obtained from
healthy environment for the future, a problem created and the proposed system are presented in Section IV. Finally,
brought about by human activities [7-9]. Some of these conclusions and further development opportunities are
concerns for example the repair of the ozone holes have been explained in Section V.
dealt with but others needs to be addressed. While the UAE is
taking the steps to monitor and record its emissions to reduce II. METHODOLOGY
the gasses like carbon-dioxide pollution. In fact, initiative is Gathering of air pollution data in real time and storing them
taken to team up with the rest of the world and address the in a database for further use would be the key step in
issues to ensure sustaianability for the future generations. developing an Air Quality Management (AQM) system. There
are various gasses which are contributing to current air
pollution in the world. Different countries and organizations
have their own standards in order to control these pollutants to
reduce the risks and effect on the environment. In general,
complete air quality management system consists of sensing of
desired emissions, data collection and transmission, storing,
data analysis, predictions and taking safety measures if
necessary.
Drones or Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become
one of the worlds most publicized and fascinating
technologies that can be employed to collect data in a given
outdoor environment. Fig. 5 schematically shows the concept
diagram for collecting data using a drone mounted with
relevant components for air quality measuring and storing data.
Fig. 3. Tropospheric NO2 over the Middle East [5] The system includes a) Drone and its remote control with
Collecting of data samples for a selected location can be a camera and display screen b) sensors and microcontroller, c)
challenging task particularly with local authority laws and real time reading and data storage on cloud, d) real time display
limitations. The World Health Organization (WHO) air quality on mobile devices e) monitored and viewed from anywhere
guidelines (AQGs) are intended for worldwide use but have round the world. Finally, stored data is analyzed, displayed on
been developed to support actions to achieve air quality that various monitors and presented for stakeholders and other
concerned parties for appropriate responses. How these data Apart from the gases in Table 1 [11], there are other category
will be utilized depends on the local government authorities, of gasses which are contributing to the greenhouse effect
interested bodies in partnership with global environmental including water vapor, Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous
agencies to meet the agreed standards. oxide. There are numerous number of pollutant gasses and
other elements emitted by human activities and natural sources.
However, in this study, the gases to be monitored is limited to
four types and the use of respective sensors for detection is
shown in Fig. 6 to enable demonstration of the proposed
methodology.
Fig. 5. System concept for collecting data using a drone mounted AQ sensors
Fig. 6. Data capturing systems installed in the drone.
There are different sensor technologies for detecting
various gases like ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur Calibration of these sensors has been a challenging task
dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) due to the complexity and safe environment to perform the
and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) [13-14]. Recent much needed procedural tests and verifications for the gases to
developments in sensor technology have made it possible for be monitored. For the purposes of this prototype, the existing
its use in various applications with improved capabilities. The system concept, readings were sufficient to fulfil the needs of
six common pollutants and their health effects are summarized establishing the communication protocols. In partnership with
in Table 1 below. It has been put to good use in this study in the specialist and secure laboratory the new recommended
combination with the drone and the latest communication sensors will be calibrated, tested and validated for use in the
systems to enable real time data capturing. Moreover, Fig. 4 final artifact. Arduino microcontroller as shown in Fig. 7 is
shows sensor mounted Phantom III drone on a data capturing used in data processing system. All the sensors are connected
mission while transmitting the data as explain in Section III. to the processor through analog pins for display as well as data
Data capturing locations under a given contour can be storage transmitted to the Blynk server (cloud) by a mini-
programmed and data will be transmitted. Once the data points modem capabilities for further anlysis.
are acquired, landscaping for a given emission can be obtained.
Fig 8. NO2 column densities over 16 cities in the Middle East Fig. 9. Online data monitoring screen of a mobile device.
V. CONCLUSIONS Alhajeri, Yousef Altamimi, Ahmed Alnuaimi, and Hamad
In this study, an attempt has been made to establish a Alhebsi. Finally, we would like to express our special thanks of
gratitude to the Ras Al Khaimah Colleges management team,
platform for the collection of air pollution information and its
in particular, Dr. Hassan Almheiri, Director of RAK HCT
analysis. The UAE hopes to provide a model for energy and Colleges, Dr. Amjed Majeed, Dean of Academic Operations
environmental sustainability. Leadership is encouraging and and Dr. Nitin Afzulpurkar, Engineering Program Chair for their
promoting the implementation of groundbreaking sustainable continuous support as well as Simon Hissem and Bryan
energy and efficient energy programs with commitment to Daniels for their valuable contributions.
reduce carbon and other emissions at all levels. It is also
committed to reducing emissions from flaring. The UAE aims
REFERENCES
to change its carbon footprint by greening the desert. To
[1] W. E. Funk, J. D. Pleil, J. A. Pedit, M. G. Boundy, K. B. Yeatts, D. G.
contribute to accomplishing these objectives, we designed a Nash, C. B. Trent, M. El Sadig, C. A. Davidson and D. Leith, Indoor
novel system that collects air sampling field data for a given Air Quality in the United Arab Emirates, Journal of Environmental
location in 3D space. Air quality measuring sensors mounted Protection, vol. 5, pp. 709-722, 2014.
on the drone can be deployed to a given location. Sensor [2] http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/uae_case_stor
system would consist of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen y, Global Footprint Network, (Accessed on 01.09.2016).
dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), Ozone (O3) carbon [3] X. Zhao and Ding Du, Forecasting carbon dioxide emissions. Journal
of Environmental Management, pp. 16039-44, 2015.
dioxide (CO2), smoke, methane (CH4) and particulate matter Online publication date: 1-Sep-2015.
(PM10) sensors. Furthermore, these finding can be applied to [4] R.K. Pachauri and L.A. Meyer, Synthesis Report - Contribution of
collect different air quality information in different locations Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the
and construct the landscape. Collected data can be stored and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2014, IPCC, Geneva,
analyzed later in order to draw different conclusions. The Switzerland, pp. 80-151, 2014.
proposed system can be further developed and improved to [5] http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/1/7/e1500498.full (Accessed on
10.11.2016)
meet different aspects of air quality management that may
[6] J. Lelieveld, S. Beirle, C. Hormann, G. Stenchikov, T. Wagner, Abrupt
include temperature, humidity and other related variables. recent trend changes in the atmospheric nitrogen dioxide over the
Working with partners around the world to build a network Middle East, Sci. Adv. vol. 1, e1500498, 2015.
that is committed to having a healthy sustainable environment [7] P. Kumar, L. Morawska, C. Martani, G. Biskos, M. Neophytouh, S. D.
and take us all forward for a future that works for all using this Sabatino, M. Bell, L. Norfordk, and R. Britter, "The rise of low-cost
sensing for managing air pollution in cities," Journal of Environment
novel system. International, vol. 75, pp. 199205, 2015.
[8] A. Kadri, E. Yaacoub, M. Mushtaha, and A. Abu-Dayya, "Wireless
sensor network for real-time air pollution monitoring," In Proceedings of
ACKNOWLEDGMENT the 2013 1st International Conference on Communications, Signal
This project was an outcome of the Youth Innovation Processing, and their Applications (ICCSPA), Sharjah, UAE, pp. 15,
2013.
Competition initiative that was launched by Mohamad Bin
[9] O. Yu, L. Sheppard, T. Lumley, J.Q. Koenig, and G.G. Shapiro, "Effects
Rashid Center for Government Innovation (MBRCGI), our of Ambient Air Pollution on Symptoms of Asthma in Seattle-Area
sincere gratitude goes to Huda AlHashimi, Assistant Director Children Enrolled in the CAMP Study," Environ. Health Perspect, vol.
General for Strategy and Innovation at the Prime Minister 108, pp. 12091214, 2000.
Office and MBRCGI, Dr. Radheya AlHashimi, Director of [10] C.A. PopeIII, R.L. Verrier, E.G. Lovett, A.C. Larson, M.E. Raizenne,
Infrastructure and Environment Strategy and Policy R.E. Kanner, J. Schwartz, G, Villegas, D.R. Gold, and D.W. Dockery,
Department, Prime Minister Office and Khaled AlSokhny, Heart rate variability associated with particulate air pollution. Journal of
Americal Heart, vol. 138, pp. 890899, 1999.
expert at Infrastructure and Environment Strategy and Policy
Department for their continuous support to transform the [11] World health report. Reducing risks, promoting healthy life. Geneva,
World Health Organization, 2002.
project into reality. Furthermore, we would like to extend our
[12] A. Peters, D.W. Dockery, J.E. Muller, and M.A. Mittleman, "Increased
thanks to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment for Particulate Air Pollution and the Triggering of Myocardial Infarction,"
supporting and seed funding the project especially Engineer Circulation, vol. 103, pp. 28102815, 2001.
Fahad Hareb the former Director of Air Quality Department [13] Y. Ma, M. Richards, M. Ghanem, Y. Guo, and J. Hassard, "Air Pollution
and Engineer Aisha Al Abdooli the current Director of the Monitoring and Mining Based on Sensor Grid in London," Journal of
Department. In addition, the current working team would like Sensors, vol. 8, pp. 36013623, 2008.
to convey their sincere thanks to the former 1st award winning [14] Y. Yi , K. M. Lo, T. Mak, K. S. Leung, Y. Leung, and M. L. Meng, "A
students that worked on this project, specifically, Hazza Survey of wireless sensor network based air pollution monitoring
systems," Journal of Sensors, vol. 15, 2015.