Characterization and Source Discovery of Wintertime Fog on Coastal Island, Bangladesh

Abstract

An extensive chemical investigation of fog water’s chemical composition, as well as source characterization, were carried out during the winter season (December to February) at an outflow location (Bhola, Bangladesh) of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). Characterization of the source involved correlational analysis, enrichment factor analysis, estimation of percentage sources, and air mass trajectory analysis. The average pH of fog water in Bhola was found to be 7.03 ± 0.02, demonstrating that acid-neutralizing components were successful in neutralizing acidifying species. The concentrations of the water-soluble ions were determined, and they were in the following order: Ca2+ > NO3− > Cl− > Na+ > SO42− > NH4+ > Mg2+ > K+ > F− > HCO3−. Of the six trace elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb) that were analyzed, Zn ions were found in the highest concentration, followed by Mn ions. Neutralization factor analysis showed that the key neutralization components of fog-water were Ca2+ and NH4+. Enrichment factor (EF) calculation revealed the anthropogenic origin of NO3−, SO42−, Zn, Mn, and Cu. The percentage source contributions of NO3− (99.74%), SO42− (84.02%), and Cl− (8.30%) further support the anthropogenic origin. Backward air mass trajectory analysis was performed using the NOAA-HYSPLIT model. Long-range transport of contaminants over the IGP area was found to have a profound impact on the chemical composition of fog on the Bhola coast. This research has provided novel findings for the chemical characterization of fog water and the detection of its source at IGP outflow, and highlighted the anthropogenic contributions to local air pollution, as well as the transboundary influence on local air quality.

Evolution of the chemical composition of fogwater collected at four sites in the Alsace region between 2015 and 2021

“…Most of the EFs for Mn are lower than 10, which are considered non-enriched at all sampling sites, except at Strasbourg in which its EF is 37.5 (moderately enriched). The concentration levels found in the current research vary within the same range as those observed in Riverside (California) (Munger et al, 1983), New Delhi (India) (Ali et al, 2004), and Po Valley (Italy) (Gelencser et al, 2000), but lower than those observed in Baton Rouge (Louisiana) (Raja et al, 2005), Milesovka (Czech) (Fisak et al, 2009), Delta Barrage (Egypt) (Salem et al, 2017), and Coastal Island (Bangladesh) (Nahar et al, 2022). Additionally, the elemental concentration levels of heavy metals reported at Strasbourg are also lower than those found previously by Millet et al (1996) at the same site.…”

Fog Water: A General Review of Its Physical and Chemical Aspects

“…Also, a field study on the influence of LRT of air masses on fog water composition was performed in 2019 at the Lumbini site in Nepal. Recently, more studies on the inorganic analysis have been conducted in several locations in India [326], Egypt [222], Switzerland [327], Bangladesh [328], and Lebanon [329].…”

Sustainable Water Technologies for Housing Rehabilitation in Coastal Bangladesh

“…On the mesh fabric, tiny fog droplets gather to form larger water droplets, trickling into an attached gutter. Gravity can then direct the collected water to a sedimentation tank, where it will eventually find its way to a home water supply and/or an irrigation system (Nahar et al, 2022).…”