An overview of air quality analysis by big data techniques: Monitoring, forecasting, and traceability

Abstract With the rapid development of economy and the frequent occurrence of air pollution incidents, the problem of air pollution has become a hot issue of concern to the whole people. The air quality big data is generally characterized by multi-source heterogeneity, dynamic mutability, and spatial–temporal correlation, which usually uses big data technology for air quality analysis after data fusion. In recent years, various models and algorithms using big data techniques have been proposed. To summarize these methodologies of air quality study, in this paper, we first classify air quality monitoring by big data techniques into three categories, consisting of the spatial model, temporal model and spatial–temporal model. Second, we summarize the typical methods by big data techniques that are needed in air quality forecasting into three folds, which are statistical forecasting model, deep neural network model, and hybrid model, presenting representative scenarios in some folds. Third, we analyze and compare some representative air pollution traceability methods in detail, classifying them into two categories: traditional model combined with big data techniques and data-driven model. Finally, we provide an outlook on the future of air quality analysis with some promising and challenging ideas.