Elemental Characteristics of Respirable Particulate Matter in the Urban Atmosphere of Dehradun, Uttrakhand, India

Abstract

To evaluate the ambient air quality of the Dehradun city, respirable particulate matter was collected using respirable dust sampler (RDS) and analysed for the heavy metal content using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The morphology of particulates were determined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the elemental composition was determined through SEM- energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Particulate matter mass concentration ranged from 65.00 µg m-3 to 337.33 µg m-3. Quantified heavy metals in particulate matter were Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Cobalt (Co), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd). The order of concentration of heavy metals were found to be in the trend of Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cr>Ni>Mn>Co>Cd. Maximum concentration of PM10 was found at commercial site during summer, winter and monsoon season. Enrichment factor analysis showed substantial contribution of anthropogenic activities on PM10. Source apportionment (varimax rotated factor analysis method) showed dominance of incineration and uncontrolled burning of waste and refuses, resuspended dust with vehicular emission and crustal sources as the dominant sources in Dehradun. Plantation drive strategy have major role in ambient particulate matter mitigation measures and carbon sequestration from climate change and global problem worldwide. This study will be help to mitigate or decrease the load of air pollution by the using of various trees for sustainable human development on the marvellous earth planet.