Variation and dispersal of PM10 and PM2.5 during COVID-19 lockdown over Kolkata metropolitan city, India investigated through HYSPLIT model

Abstract

The higher concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 in the lower atmosphere is severely harmful for human health and it also makes visibility diminution along with weather and climate modifications. The main objective is to find out the spatiotemporal variation and dispersal of PM10 and PM2.5 along with COVID-19 infection in the dusty city Kolkata. The consecutive two years PM10 and PM2.5 data of different stations have been obtained from State Pollution Control Board, Govt. of West Bengal. Forward trajectory analysis has been done through HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model to find the path and direction of air particles. The result showed that the various meteorological or environmental factors (such as temperature, relative humidity, wind, wind speed, pressure and gusty wind) and geographical location regulate the spatiotemporal variation of PM10 and PM2.5. These factors like high temperature with relative humidity and strong wind influence to disperse the particulate matters from north to south direction from city to outside during summer in Kolkata metropolitan city. During summer (both pre and lockdown years), the height of particles is extended up to 1000 m owing to active atmospheric ventilation whereas in winter it is confined within 100 m. The HYSPLIT model clearly specified that the particles dispersed from south, south-west to north and north east direction due to strong wind. The constant magnification of PM10 and PM2.5 in the lower atmosphere leads to greater frequency of COVID-19 infections and deaths. In Kolkata, the one of the crucial reasons of high infection and deaths (COVID-19) is co-morbidity of people.