CARTOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL CHANGES IN AIR POLLUTANTS IN ALMATY

Abstract

One of the biggest problems in our time is mass air pollution, which leads to climate change, as well as negatively impact public health, accelerating the growth of morbidity and mortality. The scientific article examines the issues of population growth of Almaty in recent years, air pollution, and its negative impact on the health of Almaty’s residents due to low-quality coal burning in thermal power plants, private sector homes, and emissions from motor vehicles. Emissions from coal-fired power plants also contribute to the formation of greenhouse gases that rise into the atmosphere and warm the planet, posing challenges for the urban population. Additionally, due to environmental pollution, an excessive increase in pollutants such as SO₂, CO₂, NO₂, PM_2,5, and PM₁₀ in the air has been observed, leading to a rise in the incidence of bronchitis, infectious bronchitis, pneumonia, and chronic lung diseases among the population. The levels of exposure of car exhaust gases and emissions from thermal power plants were analyzed and studied.  Based on statistical data from 2016 to 2024, precise maps of pollution levels and an accurate assessment of city’s impact on the implementation of measures to improve air quality in Almaty were compiled. These efforts include protecting and restoring urban ecosystems, creating and maintaining a comfortable and environmentally save living environment for people in urbanized areas. These maps enable the development of solutions to reduce the anthropogenic impact of urbanization on the natural environment and facilitate the preparation of swift and specific projects to preserve environmental balance.