10th International Aerosol Conference September 2 - September 7, 2018 America's Center Convention Complex St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Abstract View
Wintertime PM2.5 in the Kathmandu Valley and Terai Region of Nepal
MD. ROBIUL ISLAM, Nita Khanal, Khadak Mahata, Siva Praveen Puppala, Narayan Babu Dhital, Michael Giordano, Benjamin Werden, Anobha Gurung, Arnico Panday, Peter DeCarlo, Elizabeth Stone, University of Iowa
Abstract Number: 1005 Working Group: Carbonaceous Aerosol
Abstract Airborne particulate matter (PM) adversely impacts human health through respiratory and cardiopulmonary diseases. Kathmandu Valley and the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) are experiencing serious PM pollution problems. PM pollution in these regions is worse in the winter months (December – February) when regional haze or “fog” events occur. This poster will present preliminary results from the second Nepal Ambient Monitoring field campaign on the levels, composition, and sources of PM2.5 and PM10 in the Kathmandu Valley and in northern IGP during wintertime. PM samples were collected at Ratnapark (in the Kathmandu Valley at 1300 m a.s.l.), Dhulikhel (east end of the Kathmandu Valley at 1600 m a.s.l.), and Lumbini (in the northern IGP at 100 m a.s.l.) for 7-10 days at each site. The samples were collected during daytime and nighttime periods spanning December 20, 2017 - January 27, 2018. PM mass concentrations were determined and chemical analysis were conducted includes to determine levels of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), water soluble inorganic ions, and organic species. Organic speciation focused on molecular markers (a chemical species that is specific to an aerosol source) to gain insight to the sources of organic aerosol (i.e. biomass burning, garbage burning, fossil fuel combustion, secondary organic aerosol, etc.). These data will be used for the purpose of identifying primary and secondary sources of PM and to estimate source contributions to PM2.5 and OC through chemical mass balance (CMB) source apportionment.