Abstract
Particulate matter samples were collected using a dichotomous sampler at a residential area of Vashi situated in Navi Mumbai, India during the period of 2008. The sampler facilitates the simultaneous collection of atmospheric particulates in coarse and fine size fractions. The filter samples collected were analysed for trace elements using Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) technique. The particulate matter trends show higher concentration during winter season compared to other seasons. High concentrations of elements related to soil and sea salt were found in the coarse fraction of particulate matter. Enrichment Factor (EF) analysis with respect to Fe showed enrichment of Cu, Cr, and Mn only in the fine fraction suggesting their origin from anthropogenic sources. The EF value was observed to be maximum for As, Pb and Zn in the fine particulates. However, crustal and marine derived elements showed very low EF values indicating their origin from soil and sea salt respectively. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based multivariate studies identified soil, sea salt and combustion as common sources for coarse and fine particles. Additionaly a source contributing to coarse fraction Br concentration as well as an industrial and Se source contributing to fine fraction particles has been identified.
Highlights
The awareness of air pollution has led to numerous studies on the chemical composition of ambient aerosols and the determination of pollution sources
The air was sampled at a rate of 16 L/min, which allowed the collection of coarse particles with Aerodynamic Diameter (AD) between 10 and 2.5 μm (PM2.5–10) in the first stage and fine particles with AD 2.5 μm (PM2.5) in the second stage
The time series plot clearly indicates that the concentrations of PM2.5–10 and PM2.5 in the season of winter were about two times higher than the concentrations during summer and monsoon seasons because it is well known that during winter due to lower temperatures the mixing height becomes
Summary
The awareness of air pollution has led to numerous studies on the chemical composition of ambient aerosols and the determination of pollution sources. Atmospheric aerosols influence many atmospheric processes including cloud formation, visibility variation and solar radiation transfer, (Pueschel et al, 1986) and play a major role in the acidification of clouds, rain and fog. Both gaseous pollutants and atmospheric aerosols contribute to the deterioration of air quality (Parmar et al, 2001). Urban air pollution problems are the results of combined effects of gaseous air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, ozone and particulate matter. Air borne particulates with aerodynamic diameter 2.5 to 10 ȝm Kothai et al, Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 11: 560–569, 2011
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