Seasonal Variation of Potential Source Locations of Atmospheric Particulates over the Indo-Gangetic Plain of India

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.