Interannual variations in PM10 and PM2.5 due to wildfires in four air quality monitoring networks in the Colombian caribbean

Particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) significantly impacts air quality and public health, particularly in regions with meteorological and topographical characteristics prone to wildfires. In the Colombian Caribbean, wildfires and urban emissions worsen particulate matter pollution. However, studies examining interannual trends and the specific contributions of wildfires to air quality are limited. This study examines the interannual variations in PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations across four cities in the Colombian Caribbean between 2018 and 2024, using data from Colombia's Air Quality Information System. The determination of particulate matter was analyzed using gravimetric and optical techniques. Satellite data were employed to assess wildfire activity and its influence on regional air quality. The highest number of wildfires in the Colombian Caribbean usually occurs during January, February, and March, which is characterized as the primary dry period in the region, extending from December to March. The PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations ranged between 17.36 - 48.16 µg/m³ and 9.55 - 19.94 µg/m³, respectively. The results showed that wildfires significantly elevated PM 2.5 levels, in addition to the contribution of emissions from local activities. Cluster analysis, potential source contribution function (PSCF), and potential impact (PI) analyses reveal that air mass transport predominantly originating from the northeast, influenced by wildfires, directly impacts high PM 10 concentrations at the Caribbean air quality monitoring sites. This research reveals that wildfire, combined with local emissions, deteriorates air quality, highlighting the importance of implementing strategies to protect vulnerable populations.