Mass Loading of Size-Segregated Atmospheric Aerosols in the Ambient Air During Fireworks Episodes in Eastern Central India

Abstract

The effects of combustion of the fire crackers on the air quality in eastern Central India were studied for the first time during Diwali festival. This case study analyzes the size distribution and temporal variation of aerosols collected in the rural area of eastern Central India during pre-diwali, Diwali and post-diwali period for the year of 2011. Fifteen aerosol samples were collected during the special case study of Diwali period using Andersen sampler. The mean concentrations of PM10 (respirable particulate matter) were found to be 212.8 ± 4.2, 555.5 ± 20.2 and 284.4 ± 5.8 during pre-diwali, Diwali and post-diwali period, respectively. During Diwali festival PM10 concentration was about 2.6 and 1.9 times higher than pre-diwali and post-diwali period, respectively. PM2.5 (fine) and PM1 (submicron) concentrations during Diwali festival were more than 2 times higher than pre-diwali and post-diwali.

Arabitol and Mannitol as Tracer for Fungal Contribution to Size-Differentiated Particulate Matter of Rural Atmospheric Aerosols

“…Feasible fungal spores are present in smoke from remote biomass burning [15]. Submicron aerosols were mainly originated from the combustion sources [3]. In Rajim sampling site, biomass i.e., rice straw, wood and cow-dung cake are used for cooking and heating in home especially during winter period [3].…”

“…Submicron aerosols were mainly originated from the combustion sources [3]. In Rajim sampling site, biomass i.e., rice straw, wood and cow-dung cake are used for cooking and heating in home especially during winter period [3]. The concentration of mannitol ranged from 1453 to 1883 ng m -3 and 534 to 838 ng m -3 , whereas for arabitol it was varied between 114.1 and 389 ng m -3 , and 11 and 250 ng m -3 in PM 2.5-10 and PM 1 , respectively.…”

“…PMs are directly originated from sources or form by the interaction of primary pollutant with meteorological parameter like relative humidity, temperature, environmental pressure and rain fall etc. Aerosols are classified as organic and inorganic aerosols [3]. Carbonaceous material participates as a major constituent (70-90 %) of biomass burning aerosols [4].…”

“…Approximately 30-75% of the carbonaceous matter represents the watersoluble organic carbon (WSOC) [5], [6]. The major sources of biomass burnings are uses of wood and coal for cooking and heating activities, and burning of rice straws in agricultural lands after harvesting period [3], [7].…”

Mass loading and episodic variation of molecular markers in PM2.5 aerosols over a rural area in eastern central India

“…The cutoff diameters of the different stage of impactor are Stage-1: 9.0e10, Stage-2: 5.8e9.0, Stage-3: 4.4e5.8, .5 mm, Stage-6: 1.0e2.1, Stage-7: 0.7e1.0, Stage-8: 0.43e0.7 mm (Nirmalkar et al, 2013). Aerosol particles of size <0.43 mm were collected on backup filter installed on the Stage-9 of the cascade impactor (Nirmalkar et al, 2013). In the current study, PM 2.5 refers to the sum of the last four stages with a size range of 0.43e2.5 mm including backup filter of the impactor.…”