Haze measurements through image analysis

Abstract

In the recent years, Singapore has been affected by haze caused by slash-and-bum fires in Indonesia. Currently, haze concentration is measured by filtering air samples at various stations in Singapore. In this thesis, optical approaches to haze measurements are explored. Images of haze were taken in fifteen minute intervals in June, 2013. These images were analyzed to obtain image contrast, and power spectral density functions. The power spectral density functions were characterized by maximum power, full width at half maximum, second and third moments, and exponential fit. Out of these methods, contrast and exponential fit results showed trend to the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) values provided by the National Environmental Agency (NEA). Further studies on mapping contrast to PSI values are recommended.