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Pebane, nestled within the Zambézia Province of Mozambique, occupies a geographically significant position along the Indian Ocean coastline. Located at approximately -17.2642 latitude and 38.1350 longitude, the city’s terrain is predominantly low-lying, characterized by sandy plains and gently undulating hills that gradually rise towards the interior. The proximity to the Indian Ocean exerts a powerful influence on the local climate and, consequently, air quality. The surrounding landscape is a mosaic of coastal forests, mangrove swamps, and extensive agricultural lands, primarily dedicated to cashew nut cultivation and small-scale farming. This agricultural activity, while vital to the regional economy, can contribute to localized particulate matter pollution, particularly during harvesting and processing seasons. Pebane’s urban character is that of a developing market town, exhibiting a gradual urban–rural gradient as one moves away from the central commercial area. The city’s elevation is relatively low, typically below 50 meters above sea level, which can exacerbate the effects of temperature inversions, trapping pollutants closer to the ground. The Zambezi River, though not directly adjacent, influences regional weather patterns and moisture levels. Further inland, the landscape transitions to drier savannah, impacting wind patterns and the potential for dust intrusion. The absence of major heavy industries within or immediately adjacent to Pebane mitigates some industrial pollution risks, but the reliance on biomass for cooking and heating in surrounding rural communities can contribute to regional smoke plumes, occasionally impacting air quality in Pebane.

Pebane’s tropical climate dictates a distinct wet and dry season cycle, profoundly impacting its air quality. The dry season, typically spanning from May to October, is characterized by lower humidity and increased sunshine. While this might seem beneficial, the lack of rainfall allows dust from agricultural fields and unpaved roads to become readily airborne, leading to elevated particulate matter concentrations. Wind patterns during this period are often variable, sometimes bringing in cleaner air from the ocean, but more frequently contributing to the accumulation of dust within the local basin. Temperature inversions are less frequent during the dry season due to increased convective mixing. The wet season, from November to April, brings frequent rainfall and higher humidity. This generally leads to a reduction in dust pollution as precipitation washes particulate matter from the atmosphere. However, biomass burning for land clearing and cooking, a common practice in the surrounding rural areas, can significantly degrade air quality during this period, particularly in the early months of the wet season. Fog, a relatively infrequent occurrence, can trap pollutants near the ground, creating localized episodes of poor air quality. Sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions, should exercise caution during the dry season, particularly during periods of high dust activity, and be mindful of smoke from biomass burning during the early wet season. Outdoor activities are generally more favorable during the peak of the wet season when rainfall is frequent.