Abstract
Total suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the urban atmosphere of Dhaka city was collected using a high volume sampling technique for a period of one month (August 2017-September 2017). Chemical characterization of particulate matter (PM) was investigated, and characterized concerning the size distribution, morphological features such as count, total area, average size, perimeter, circularity, aspect ratio (AR), roundness; equivalent spherical diameter (ESD), surface area and volume of PM. The results of elemental analysis showed that the presence of heavy metal in PM was ten to hundred times higher than the standard value prescribed by WHO and USEPA. Several morphological analysis indicated that particles varying in shape from nearly spherical to various irregular shape, had higher surface energy, higher content of Cl and S bearing particles and had a large surface area which can cause greater damage to lungs. The presence of various organic compounds containing functional groups like alcohols, ketones aldehydes, carboxylic acids as well as unsaturated and saturated carbon bonds was observed by FT-IR analysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the morphology of the PM. Agglomerates and shoots type particles were mostly seen in SPM.
Highlights
The results of elemental analysis showed that the presence of heavy metal in particulate matter (PM) was ten to hundred times higher than the standard value prescribed by World Health organization (WHO) and United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
The elemental compositions of individual particles provide a lot of information about the origin of particle sample but this information is implied during sample analysis due to the presence of chemically complex mixtures of particles from multiple sources [36]
The result showed that heavy metals content in the air is 10 to 100 times higher than the standard value of WHO and USEPA
Summary
Among the world’s 10 most populous countries in 2015, the largest increases in numbers of pollution-related deaths have been reported in India and Bangladesh [2]. The main sources of air pollution include emissions from faulty vehicles, especially diesel-run vehicles, brick kilns, rice and pulse (beans) grinding mill, dust from roads and construction sites, dust from poultry farm and toxic fumes from industries. These sources emit NOx, SO2, CO, CO2, airborne microorganism and PM, which has direct adverse impact on human health and environment
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