Study of elemental concentration, surface morphology and chemical characterization of atmospheric aerosols and trace gases in an urban environment (India)

Abstract

The severe harmful impact of atmospheric aerosols over the environment leads to create the diverse human interests and concerns. The increase in population growth, anthropogenic activities, land use pattern, and urbanisation have led to change in the environmental conditions. This study represents the different aspect of elemental concentration, morphology, and chemical composition of particulate matter and trace gases during different time periods of an Indian festival (Diwali) in the Greater Noida region of Uttar Pradesh (India). The average elemental concentration during night period (Diwali days) for PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2 and O3 were 540 ± 162 μg m−3, 343 ± 193 μg m−3, 25 ± 12 μg m−3, 44 ± 13 μg m−3 and 8 ± 5 μg m−3 respectively. The SEM-EDS studies revealed the different pattern and shapes of fine (≤ 2.5 μm), coarse (≤ 10 μm) and total suspended particles (≥ 10 μm) as spherical and uneven shapes, bunches, clusters, biogenic elements in the form of honeycomb structure (Brochosomes) and pollen were observed from different sources. The mineralogical studies showed the presence of quartz, feldspar, kaolinite, calcium aluminium silicate, and organic carbon in the studied region.