Characterization of Particulate Matter and Carbonaceous Aerosol over Two Urban Environments in Northern India

Abstract

Monitoring and simultaneous sampling of Particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) was carried out for the first time over two urban sites in Northern India (Jabalpur and Udaipur) during December 2010-November 2012 (up to August 2012 over Udaipur). The samples of PM 2.5 were analyzed for elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) using advanced DRI Thermal optical carbon Analyzer. The monthly mean PM 10 values were as high as 149 ± 44 µg m -3 over Jabalpur (JBL) and 171 ± 42.2 µg m -3 over Udaipur (UDPR). PM 2.5 mass over JBL varied between 25-79 µg m -3 and over UDPR between 24-82 µg m -3. The monthly mean OC concentration varied from 12.5 ± 7.3 µg m -3 to 28.4 ± 10.7 µg m -3 over JBL and from 7.8 ± 2.9 to 39.7 ± 11.6 µg m -3 over UDPR. The variation of monthly mean EC concentration was from 3.9-10.3 µg m -3 over JBL and from 3-10.9 µg m -3 over UDPR. The contribution of TC to PM 2.5 was in the range of 31-75% over JBL and 30-83% over UDPR. The EC showed higher concentration in winter and minimal values in monsoon. The OC/EC ratio showed low variation over JBL compared to that over UDPR suggesting spectrum of sources responsible for EC and OC components over UDPR. Formation of secondary organic carbon (SOC) was also recognized as a potential component altering OC/EC ratio. Up on extracting the sub fractions, it is found that OC2 and OC3 are the major component over both the sites contributing up to 51% to the total OC in different months. EC1 (EC component derived at 580°C) was found to be the major EC component contributing up to 79% over the sites.

Seasonal Variations in Water Soluble Inorganic Ions, OC and EC in PM10 and PM>10 Aerosols over Delhi: Influence of Sources and Meteorological Factors

“…This is attributed to the limited outdoor biomass and fossil fuel (coal) combustion activities on account of wet ambient conditions as well as to the removal of particles by rainwater and the process is termed as rain wash out process. Similar observations about low OC and EC in PM 10 of two different sites in India due to wet removal of particles during rainy season have also been made by Panicker et al (2015). The higher OC in autumn season could be linked to the higher plant productivity soon after rainy season and high EC (17.3 µg m -3…”

Understanding sources and processes using chemistry of fine and coarse particles simultaneously collected from different windward locations in N-NW India

“…Average OC/EC ratio was 3.5 at DEL, 5.4 at JHJ and 6.9 at BKR (Table 3). Similar OC/EC ratios have also been reported at other urban sites in India; Patiala (8.7) 41 , Agra (6.7) 49 , Udaipur (6.4) and Jabalpur (4.8) 50 . Burning of wood and cow dung at domestic levels might have resulted in high OC/EC ratio (6.9) at BKR whereas more sources of EC such as vehicular emissions and other combustion processes have resulted in lower OC/EC ratios (3.5) at DEL 30 .…”

Characterisation of particulate matter at a high-altitude site in southwest India: Impact of dust episodes

“…So far studies on fine sized PM (PM 2.5, i.e., PM B 2.5 lm) and coarse sized PM (PM 10, i.e., PM B 10 lm) are reported mainly for urban locations in India (Rengarajan et al 2011;Tiwari et al 2012Tiwari et al , 2013Panicker et al 2015;Pipal and Satsangi 2015;Gawhane et al 2017). Very few studies are reported from high-altitude stations in India (Safai et al 2005;Chatterjee et al 2010;Satsangi et al 2014;Leena et al 2017).…”