Transboundary atmospheric pollution in Southeast Asia: current methods, limitations and future developments

Transboundary atmospheric pollution (TAP) has emerged over the last three decades as a major challenge to countries in Southeast Asia (SEA). A limited understanding of the link between pollution emissions and their presence and effects in receiving locations (or the source-receptor relationship), in such a dynamic region covering a huge geographical area, poses a major obstacle to resolving the multitude of challenges relating to TAP in SEA. Focusing on SEA, this paper reviews the approaches used in collecting atmospheric pollution data and determining TAP. Suggestions as to how the situation may be improved are provided. Future research directions are also highlighted.