Measurements of Particulate (PM2.5), BC and Trace Gases Over the Northwestern Himalayan Region of India

• Published in: MĀPAN : journal of Metrology Society of India Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 243 - 253
• Main Authors: Sharma, S. K., Mandal, T. K., Sharma, C., Kuniyal, Jagdish Chandra, Joshi, Ranjan, Dhyani, Pitamber Prasad, Rohtash, Sen, A., Ghayas, H., Gupta, N. C., Sharma, Priyanka, Saxena, M., Sharma, A., Arya, B. C., Kumar, Arun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Springer India 01.12.2014
• Subjects: Mathematical and Computational Physics; Mathematical Methods in Physics; Measurement Science and Instrumentation; Numerical and Computational Physics; Original Paper; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Simulation; Theoretical; Elemental carbon; Organic carbon; Particulate matter; WSIC; Trace gases
• ISSN: 0970-3950; 0974-9853
• DOI: 10.1007/s12647-014-0104-2

Ambient trace gases (NH 3 , NO, NO 2 and SO 2 ) and black carbon (BC) were measured along with particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) over the northwestern Himalayan region (Palampur, Kullu, Shimla, Solan and Nahan) of Himachal Pradesh (HP), India in a campaign mode during 12–22 March 2013 to evaluate the ambient air quality of the region. The average mixing ratio of ambient NH 3 , NO, NO 2 and SO 2 were recorded as 7.1 ± 2.6, 3.1 ± 1.3, 3.9 ± 1.4 and 1.7 ± 0.7 ppb respectively over the northwestern Himalayan region. The average concentration of BC was estimated as 2.2 ± 0.5 µg m −3 over the region whereas average concentration of PM 2.5 mass was estimated as 41.8 ± 7.9 µg m −3 . The spatial variation of ambient trace gases (NH 3 , NO, NO 2 and SO 2 ), BC and PM 2.5 over the northwestern Himalayan region, India reveals that the region is mainly influenced by local activities, i.e., tourism activities, agricultural activities, biomass burning and vehicular emission. A significant positive linear correlation of NH 3 and NH 4 + with SO 4 2− , NO 3 − and Cl − (NH 4 + vs. SO 4 2− , r 2  = 0.652; NH 4 + vs. NO 3 − , r 2  = 0.701; and NH 4 + vs. Cl − , r 2  = 0.627) of the PM 2.5 indicates the possible formation of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , NH 4 NO 3 and NH 4 Cl aerosols over the region.