TITLE:
Seasonal Variation of Potential Source Locations of Atmospheric Particulates over the Indo-Gangetic Plain of India
AUTHORS:
Mohammad Hafizur Rahman, V. P. Sharma, S. Kundu, A. Datta
KEYWORDS:
Ambient Particulate Matter, Indo-Gangetic Plain Region, PSCF Analysis
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Air Pollution,
Vol.9 No.1,
February
4,
2020
ABSTRACT: Ambient particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10)
concentrations were measured during two different seasons (summer and winter)
at three different locations of Gurugram which is located in the Indo-Gangetic
plain of India. The ambient concentrations of both PM2.5 and PM10 were higher during winter season (PM2.5: 261 μg·m-3;
PM10: 440 μg·m-3) when compared to summer
period (PM2.5: 114 μg·m-3; PM10:
202 μg·m-3). Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) analysis suggests
significant seasonal variation in potential contributing locations of ambient
PM2.5 over the study area. The PSCF analysis suggests that cross country transport of PM2.5 from Pakistan and Afghanistan significantly attributed to higher concentrations
of PM2.5 at the study locations; whereas, PM2.5 emitted
from locations in the south-western direction of the study sites attributed to
the ambient PM2.5 concentrations at the study site during summer
seasons. Further study is required to measure percentage contribution from
different sectors and locations to the ambient particulate concentrations at
the study site to develop sector specific mitigation plan.