Energy Research Journal 1 (2): 158-164, 2010 ISSN 1949-0151 © 2010 Science Publications Corresponding Author: Jasim M. Rajab, School of Physics, University Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia Tel: +604-6533888 Fax: +604-6579150 158 Daily distribution Map of Ozone (O 3 ) from AIRS over Southeast Asia Jasim M. Rajab, M.Z. MatJafri, H.S. Lim and K. Abdullah School of Physics, University Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia Abstract: Problem statement: Daily retrieved Ozone (O 3 ) column data for 12 day for periods varying (11-18 August) 2005 and 2003 and (12-19 February) 2005, obtained from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder AIRS, are utilized to investigate the ozone distribution over the Southeast Asia. Approach: AIRS included on the Earth Observing System (EOS) Aqua satellite launched on 4 May 2002. Ozone (O 3 ) is the gas that naturally present in our atmosphere and is a critical atmospheric trace species in the stratosphere and troposphere. Most ozone resides in the stratosphere. Ozone can be “good” or “bad” for your health and the environment. Closer to Earth, in the air we breathe, Ozone is a harmful pollutant that causes damage to lung tissue and plants; it is a major constituent of smog. Results: The aim of this study was to investigate Daily Distribution map and Indonesia forest fires influences on O 3 over Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand. The land use map of the study area was conducted by using total column O 3 obtained from AIRS/Aqua Level 3 Daily (AIRX3STD) 1×1° spatial resolution ascending Standard, are used to study the O 3 distribution and the impact of Indonesia forest fire. Considerable variations demonstrate annual changes in rainfall and drought patterns in various seasons (dry and wet season). Note such variations in the Ozone emissions over study area, while highest O 3 occurs over Industrial, congested urban zones and existence of Swamps and lakes during dry season and a greater draw down of O 3 occurs in the pristine marine environment over Surat Thani during wet seasons. Conclusion/Recommendations: In particular, we observe a quasi-biennial variation in O 3 emissions from study area with two contrary cases, the higher concentrations around the equatorial regions at dry season and less at wet season. Examining satellite measurements, we find the enhanced O 3 emission correlates with occasions of less rainfall during dry season. Key words: AIRS, ozone, peninsular Malaysia, AMSU, Indonesia forest fires INTRODUCTION Many gases occur naturally in the atmosphere while others are synthetic, due to the industrial revolution began in the mid 1700s, both the natural and man-made Atmospheric concentrations gases have been raising over the last few centuries. Tropospheric ozone is central and highly reactive to many chemical transformations. Stratospheric ozone forms a protective shield that absorbs enough solar ultraviolet radiations to make life possible on the surface of the earth (Bian et al., 2007). Ozone (O 3 ) is the gas that naturally present in our atmosphere and because of its good absorption of infrared radiation it considered an important and essential greenhouse gases. In the presence of sunlight when emissions of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) combined with emissions of Hydrocarbons (HC), including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), react to form ozone (O 3 ) (Morris et al., 2006). There, about 90% of atmospheric ozone is contained in the "Ozone layer," which shields us from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun (Stephen, NASA) Stratospheric ozone is considered good for humans and other life forms because it absorbs Ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation from the Sun. In humans, increased exposure to UV radiation can lead to more cases of skin cancer, cataracts and impaired immune systems. Excessive UV exposure also can damage terrestrial plant life, single-cell organisms and aquatic ecosystems. Other UV radiation, UV-A, which is not absorbed significantly by ozone, causes premature aging of the skin (Fahey, 2007). In the Earth’s lower atmosphere, near ground level, ozone is formed when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants and other sources react chemically in the presence of sunlight, which led to increases in the concentrations of chlorine, bromine, nitrogen and hydrogen radicals in the stratosphere (Clerbaux et al., 2003). Ozone at ground level is a harmful pollutant that causes damage to lung tissue and plants and other living systems because