Spatial analysis of sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentration in Karachi Megapolis, Pakistan

Rapid growth of motor vehicles in cities of Pakistan has brought in its wake a range of serious socio-economic, environmental, health and welfare impacts. Of these impacts, those resulting from urban air pollution, due to emissions from motor vehicles among other sources, have been the focus of considerable public concern and policy attention. Vehicular smoke, burning of garbage and low greenery have a predominant role in Karachi’s air pollution which subsequently are causes of serious environmental degradation and lung diseases among the population. The present study focuses on high traffic volume locations of Karachi for the study of SO2 concentration based on Minimum Curvature Interpolation technique. The study also focuses on 24 hours ambient data in selected places and identification of zones of SO2 concentration in Karachi megapolis.