10th International Aerosol Conference September 2 - September 7, 2018 America's Center Convention Complex St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Characteristics of Carbonaceous Aerosols at Two Major Cities Located in the Indo-Gangetic Basin
ATAR SINGH PIPAL, Ajay Taneja, Suresh Tiwari, Dr. B. R. Aambedkar University, Agra, India
Abstract Number: 152 Working Group: Carbonaceous Aerosol
Abstract Carbonaceous aerosol is a large fraction of atmospheric aerosols, played a crucial role in air pollution, adverse health, visibility reduction and climate effects. They constitute a significant fraction in fine particles (PM2.5), and it could be accounted for up to 40% of mass of PM2.5 in urban atmosphere. Agra, which is one of the oldest cities “World Heritage site” and Delhi, is the capital city of India; both are located in the border of Indo-Gangetic Basin (IGB) and heavily loaded with atmospheric aerosols due to tourist place, anthropogenic activities and its topography respectively. The present study was carried out at Agra as well as Delhi during winter period from Nov. 2011 to Feb. 2012 of fine particulate (PM2.5: d < 2.5 µg) and associated carbonaceous aerosols. PM2.5 was collected at both places using medium volume air sampler and analyzed for organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC). Average mass concentration of PM2.5 was 165.42±119.46 µg m-3 at Agra while at Delhi, it was ~ 27 % (211.67±41.94 µg m-3) higher as compared to Agra. Concentrations of OC and EC were 69.96±34.42 and 9.53±7.27 µg m-3 at Agra and 50.11±11.93 and 10.67±3.56 µg m-3 respectively. The OC/EC ratio was 13.75 and 5.45 at Agra and Delhi respectively. Significant correlation between PM2.5 and its carbonaceous species were observed indicating similarity in sources at both sites. In the case of POC, similar concentrations were observed at both places but in the case of SOC higher over Agra by 24 in comparison to Delhi, it is due to the high concentration of OC over Agra. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) was 42% higher at Agra than Delhi which confirms the formation of secondary aerosol The SOA contribution in PM2.5 was also estimated and was ~32% and 12% at Agra and Delhi respectively. Being high loading of fine particles along with carbonaceous aerosol, it is suggested to take necessary and immediate action in mitigation of the emission of carbonaceous aerosol in the northern part of India.