Economic and Ecological Analysis of the Relationship Between PM2.5 and PM10 Levels and Industrial and Transport Factors in the Cities of Sumgayit and Almaty

Elnur Arifzade¹ , Ulvi Mammadov^2* , Gulnara Abbasova³

Abstract. Air pollution caused by fine and coarse particulate matter is a major environmental and public health issue in rapidly growing cities. This study offers an economic and ecological analysis of PM2.5 and PM10-related air pollution in Sumgayit, Azerbaijan, and Almaty, Kazakhstan. The research combines air quality data with photographic field observations to evaluate the link between particulate matter levels and key urban pollution factors. These factors include industrial activity, traffic congestion, construction processes, fog, smog, and the spatial characteristics of the urban environment. For Almaty, daily PM2.5 and PM10 concentration data from 2020 to 2025 came from AQICN/AirKaz monitoring data. In Sumgayit, PM2.5 data were sourced from the National Hydrometeorological Service under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan. PM10 values were estimated using a PM2.5/PM10 ratio method. Furthermore, photographic field observation data from both cities served as visual and contextual evidence to understand the potential contributions of transport, industrial activities, construction, and weather factors to particulate matter pollution. The study demonstrates that combining measured air quality data, estimated indicators, and field-based visual documentation can create a practical framework for comparing urban air pollution. The findings aim to aid environmental monitoring, urban planning, and discussions about green economy policies in both cities.

Keywords: Air pollution, particulate matter, Sumgayit, Almaty, industrial emissions, environmental monitoring