Seasonal and Spatial Variation of Particulate Aerosols and Carbonaceous Species in PM2.5 in the Periphery of Chandigarh, India

Abstract

Present study highlights the seasonal and spatial variation of particulate aerosols (PM10 and PM2.5) and carbonaceous species (organic tarry matter, organic and elemental carbon) in PM2.5. The ambient air samples for particulate aerosols were collected from tricity of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula in India during summer (April’15–May’15) and winter (December’15–January’16). The mass levels of particulate aerosols and carbonaceous species show significant variation both seasonally and spatially. Average mass levels reported as higher in winter than summer were attributed to stagnant atmospheric and poor dispersion conditions. The mass levels were also found to be higher in industrial area as compared to residential and commercial areas. Average mass levels varying from 107.6 to 137.8 µg m−3 for PM10 and 46.6–59.5 µg m−3 for PM2.5 during the study period indicate alarming situation of particulate aerosols in this tricity. Carbonaceous species contributing as 42.5–47.5% OTM, 25.4–29.9% OC and 3.4–4.7% EC in PM2.5 indicate larger in fraction at all sites during both summer and winter.