Characterisation and source apportionment of atmospheric particulate matter in an industrial cluster of Western India

Abstract

Pollution from atmospheric particulates is a severe environmental problem of universal concern. Fine and ultra-fine particulates harbour the ability to enter the bloodstream and carry with them trace metals like copper, cadmium, iron, lead, and zinc that can cause toxic and carcinogenic effects. This necessitates an increased emphasis on the detailed chemical characterisation of atmospheric particulates. The current study identified six locations in the Vapi industrial area. In these six locations, coarse particulate matter (PM10) samples were collected simultaneously for 20 days to determine the Elemental Carbon (EC), Organic Carbon (OC), Water-soluble ions (WSIs), and major and trace elements. The concentration of PM10 was observed to be in the range of 115.88 to 226.5 μg/m3, exceeding the NAAQS standard value of 100 ug/m3. The chemical analysis results suggested contributions from total carbon, water-soluble ions, and elements varied between 45 to 48%, 20 to 23%, and 29 to 33% of PM10 mass, respectively. Chemical mass balance (CMB) and Positive matrix factorisation (PMF) models were employed separately for carrying out source apportionment studies. CMB demonstrated influence from various sources: 35% from fossil fuel combustion that included industries, 22.90% from crustal or soil dust, 19.12% from biomass burning, 16.18% from vehicular emissions, and 6.79 % from secondary particulates. The PMF receptor model showed the influence from various sources as 25.75 % from fossil fuel combustion, 22.13 % from crustal or soil dust, 16.95% from vehicular emissions, 14.53% from biomass burning, 11.49% from industrial emissions, and 9.16% from secondary aerosols. Thus, this study shall help in formulating pollution abetment strategies.

Keywords

• particulate matter
• receptor model
• cmb
• pmf
• vapi