Abstract Title: | Measurement of particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10) over Varanasi, Central Indo Gangetic Plains: Impact of meteorological parameters on aerosols. |
Session Choice: | Continuous Emission Monitoring |
Presenter Name: | Dr Pragya Parmita |
Co-authors: | Dr Sangeeta Agarwal |
Company/Organisation: | Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, R.S.S.P.G. College, Pilkhuwa |
Country: | India |
Abstract Information :
The aim of the present study is to understand the loading of hazardous materials (PM 2.5 and PM 10) and its possible sources along with the impact of meteorological parameters on atmospheric aerosols over Varanasi in central Indo Gangetic plains (IGP). During the study period, the mean mass concentrations of PM 2.5 (fine) and PM10 (inhalable) were 99.5 ± 80.4 and 218.6 ± 141.8 µg/m3 respectively. The coarse (PM 10–2.5) mode fraction was also estimated and was 19.1µg/m3 which is ~18% higher than the fine mode particles indicating high loading of anthropogenic particles. The mass concentrations of PM 2.5 over Varanasi is around eight folds higher than USEPA standard (12 µg/m3), however~ 2.5 times higher than the Indian national standard. In day and night variability, it was observed that during night time, the concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 were ~19 to 12% higher than daytime which is consistent with changes in the boundary layer conditions. In the case of PM coarse particle, there was no significant variability was seen. Meteorological variables such as (WS), temperature, (RH), solar radiation and rainfall were monitored have inversely correlated with PM 2.5 and PM 10 except wind direction indicating its direct impact on aerosols. Very fewer differences were observed (4%) in mass concentrations of PM when WS was higher (< 1 m/s). In the winter season, the relationship between PM 2.5 and RH was positively significant (0.39), associated with fog, therefore, it may process with high concentrations of gaseous precursors to form a secondary aerosol which is one of the reasons to increase the mass concentrations of PM 2.5. The study demonstrates that the abatement of fine particulate pollution over IGB region is very much important because it is directly affected by the regional climate and health also.