Effect of reduced traffic density on characteristics of particulate matter over Delhi

Abstract

Road rationing policy, implemented in Delhi from 1 to 15 January 2016, reduced the traffic density. This particular event serves an opportunity to study the effect of reduced traffic density over particulate matter (PM) characteristics. The mean PM2.5 and black carbon (BC) mass concentration before, during and after the event were observed as 163.51 μg/m3 and 14.01 μg/m3, 186.98 μg/m3 and 19.87 μg/m3, 197.45 μg/m3 and 17.79 μg/m3 respectively. During the first week (1-7 January 2016), high PM2.5 mass concentration was observed while in the second week (8- 15 January 2016), the concentration was relatively low. The concentration of elements like P, Cu, As and Pb was observed to be minimum during the event.