Elemental Characteristics of Respirable Particulate Matter in the Urban Atmosphere of Dehradun, Uttrakhand, India

Sohni Sinha,Ram Pravesh Kumar,Amit Ranjan Kumar,Vignesh Prabhu,Rajdeo Kumar,Ashutosh Kumar Tripathi

doi:10.12944/cwe.16.1.32

Abstract

To evaluate the ambient air quality of the Dehradun city, respirable particulate matter was collected using respirable dust sampler (RDS) and analysed for the heavy metal content using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The morphology of particulates were determined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the elemental composition was determined through SEM- energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Particulate matter mass concentration ranged from 65.00 µg m-3 to 337.33 µg m-3. Quantified heavy metals in particulate matter were Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Cobalt (Co), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd). The order of concentration of heavy metals were found to be in the trend of Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cr>Ni>Mn>Co>Cd. Maximum concentration of PM10 was found at commercial site during summer, winter and monsoon season. Enrichment factor analysis showed substantial contribution of anthropogenic activities on PM10. Source apportionment (varimax rotated factor analysis method) showed dominance of incineration and uncontrolled burning of waste and refuses, resuspended dust with vehicular emission and crustal sources as the dominant sources in Dehradun. Plantation drive strategy have major role in ambient particulate matter mitigation measures and carbon sequestration from climate change and global problem worldwide. This study will be help to mitigate or decrease the load of air pollution by the using of various trees for sustainable human development on the marvellous earth planet.

Highlights

IntroductionDue to rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, the aerosol load in the atmosphere has reached a threshold limit in most of the cities in India.[1] Uttarakhand state in the northern part of India has high tourist activity due to its diverse landscape, religious places and high biodiversity.[2] Dehradun city in the state of Uttarakhand is one of the major tourist cities in India; more than one million tourists visit the city every year
Particulate matter is complicated mixture of fine particulates and liquid droplets
Aerosol Mass Concentration Table.[1] shows the variation of PM10 according to different seasons

Summary

Introduction

Due to rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, the aerosol load in the atmosphere has reached a threshold limit in most of the cities in India.[1] Uttarakhand state in the northern part of India has high tourist activity due to its diverse landscape, religious places and high biodiversity.[2] Dehradun city in the state of Uttarakhand is one of the major tourist cities in India; more than one million tourists visit the city every year It has only small-scale industries, it is facing serious air quality problems.[3] In the recent years, there is a steady rise in the number of vehicles in the city

Methods

Results

Conclusion