Size resolved particle contribution to vehicle induced ultrafine particle number concentration in a metropolitan curbside region

Abstract

The concentrations and behavior of nano particles (10–1000 nm) in Delhi, a densely populated megacity, in different seasons (winter, spring, summer, monsoon, and autumn) are examined, for the first time. The concentration of particles is classified into four different sizes as Nnuc (10–30 nm, nucleation), Nsatk (30–50 nm, small Aitken), Nlatk (50–100 nm, large Aitken), and Nacc (100–1000 nm, accumulation mode), and the total (10–1000 nm) particle number concentration (PNC) as Ntotal. PNC ranges between 104 cm−3 and 106 cm−3 over Delhi during the year, and the highest concentration occurs in winter. Winter concentration is 2, 1.6 and 1.3 times higher than monsoon, summer, autumn and spring concentrations, respectively. Nnuc, Nsatk, Nlatk and Nacc and their respective contributions to total PNC exhibit significant seasonal variations. During winter Nlatk and Nacc contribute more to total due to coagulation, with Nacc alone contributing >40% to total PNC. Nnuc, Nsatk, and Nlatk are higher in spring and summer during mid-day due to nucleation and/or ultrafine particle burst events. The direct primary emissions from engine exhaust produce a prominent double hump structure during morning and evening peak hours in winter and autumn. PNC and their contributions exhibit day-night variations as they are influenced by variations in emission sources and meteorological parameters (wind speed, relative humidity, temperature, solar radiation and boundary layer height) between day and night. Carbon monoxide correlates positively with Nacc in all seasons (R2 ≥ 0.5) as fossil fuel emission is a predominant source for gases and particles in the study environment. These quantitative results on seasonal variations of nano particles and air pollutants together with the knowledge on seasonal variations in meteorological parameters and atmospheric dynamics provide a foundation which can positively contribute better to the urban planning and devising mitigation measures aimed at improving air quality and public health.