Elemental Characteristics and Source-Apportionment of PM2.5 During the Post-monsoon Season in Delhi, India

Abstract

In this study, we have coupled measurements, modeling, and remote sensing techniques to better delineate the source characteristics and variability of air pollutants in Delhi primarily during the post-monsoon season in 2019. We show a comparison of ambient PM2.5 (particulate matter having aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm) levels and associated elements during the post-monsoon with those during a relatively clean season of monsoon (experiencing frequent wet precipitation). Air-mass back trajectories from Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model have been used to infer the possible source pathways of PM2.5 impacting at the receptor site in Delhi. The average concentrations of PM2.5 during monsoon (June–July) and post-monsoon (October–November) were 42.2 ± 15.5 μg m−3 (range: 22–73 μg m−3) and 121.4 ± 53.6 μg m−3 (range: 46–298 μg m−3), respectively. The PM2.5 samples were analyzed for heavy and trace elements (Si, S, Na, Mg, Al, Cl, Ca, K, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Br, Rb, Zr, and Pb) using an Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) technique and their concentrations have been used to carry out the source-apportionment utilizing principal component analysis (PCA) tool. The PCA analysis has identified three major sources of fine aerosols including contributions from the sources viz. vehicular emission, biomass burning, coal combustion, secondary aerosols formation, soil dust, solid-waste burning and industrial emission. The source involving biomass burning contributed largely to the PM2.5 in post-monsoon season through long-range transport of large-scale agriculture-residue burning emissions (occurring in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and western part of Uttar Pradesh). The industrial emissions include primarily, medium- and small-scale metal processing industries (e.g. steel sheet rolling) in Delhi-National Capital Region. Traces of emission from coal based thermal power plants and waste incineration have also been observed in this study.

Variation in Coarse Particulate Matter (PM10) and Its Characterization at Multiple Locations in the Semiarid Region

“…The presence of soil-based elements like Ca, K, and Mg shows their existence from natural sources such as crustal resuspension and mineral dust (Kulshrestha et al, 2003;Kulshrestha et al, 2009;Tiwari et al, 2015). Regular open-air solid waste burning, as well as diverse industrial operations, can contribute to the elevated levels of Al (Pant et al, 2016;Mehra et al, 2020;Bangar et al, 2021) as found in the present study. From soil dust, Na was recognized as a crustal element.…”

Society’s Willingness to Pay for Certified Dry Firewood Energy in Chile

“…This makes air pollution significant in determining the quality of life of small children, the elderly, and patients with cardiovascular/ respiratory diseases (Arnetz et al, 2020). Although there are different sources of air pollution (Hime et al, 2018;Shi et al, 2019;Bangar et al, 2021), this study will focus on pollution from the use of caloric energy (firewood) for heating. Residential wood-burning is estimated to cause 29,000 premature deaths in Europe and North America annually (Amegah et al, 2014;Carvalho et al, 2018;Bjørner et al, 2019;Quinteros et al, 2019;Fleisch et al, 2020).…”

Recent Insights into Particulate Matter (PM2.5)-Mediated Toxicity in Humans: An Overview

“…PM can be emitted directly from the main sources or indirectly through the conversion of gaseous emissions in the atmosphere. Studies on the elemental composition of PM 2.5 have revealed elevated levels of elements, including Al, As, Br, Ca, Cl, Cr, Fr, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Ti, and Zn, as well as sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium ions [ 46 ]. Various sources of PM 2.5 and their chemical components have been listed ( Table 1 ).…”