Source apportionment of atmospheric dust fallout in an urban-industrial environment in India

Abstract

The components and quantities of atmospheric dusts fallout has been reported to be the pollution indicator of large urban areas. The multiplicity and complexity of sources of atmospheric dusts in urban regions (e.g. industrial complexes composed of a variety of industrial processes, automobiles, construction activities etc.) has put forward the need of source apportionment of these sources indicating their contribution to specific environmental receptor. The study presented here is focused on investigation of source contribution estimates of dusts fallout in an urban-industrial area, Raipur, India. Six sampling sites have been identified on the basis of land use for development plan of anthropogenic activities and factors related to the transportation and dispersion pattern of atmospheric dusts. 12 samples of dusts fallout has been collected from each site (one in each month) and subjected to chemical analysis of selected chemical constituents known as markers of selected major dust emitting sources(Steel making average, Road traffic-borne dusts, construction activities, municipal waste burning, and soils). Chemical profiles alongwith SPECIATE of USEPA has been used for the preparation of source profiles. Source apportionment has been done using Chemical Mass Balance (CMB 8). Good fit parameters and relative source contribution has been analyzed and documented. Variations in source contribution estimates of selected indicator species has been occurred and justify the significant contribution of local area and line sources of dusts emission in various parts of the study region. Coal-fired steel making industries have shown dominating contribution compared to other sources. Copyright © Taiwan Association for Aerosol Research.