Elemental Composition and Sources of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) in Delhi, India

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 110; no. 3; p. 60
• Main Authors: Sharma, S. K., Mandal, T. K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.03.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Age groups; Air Pollutants - analysis; Aluminum; Aquatic Pollution; bulls; Calcium; Carcinogens; Chemical composition; Chromium; combustion; Copper; dust; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; elemental composition; Emissions; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring; India; Industrial emissions; Ions - analysis; Iron; Laboratories; Lead - analysis; Magnesium; Manganese; Molybdenum; Monsoons; Mortality; Nickel; Particulate emissions; Particulate matter; Particulate Matter - analysis; particulates; Pollution; principal component analysis; Principal components analysis; Seasonal variations; Seasons; soil; Soil Science & Conservation; Titanium; Toxicology; Vehicle emissions; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; wavelengths; X-ray fluorescence; X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy; Zinc; India; Delhi India; Source of elements; Enrichment factor; Elements; PM; PCA; PM2.5
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s00128-023-03707-7

In this study we have analysed the elemental composition of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) to examine the seasonal changes and sources of the elements in Delhi, India from January, 2017 to December, 2021. During the entire sampling period, 19 elements (Al, Fe, Ti, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, As, Mo, Cl, P, S, K, Pb, Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, and Br) of PM 2.5 were identified by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer. The higher annual mean concentrations of S (2.29 µg m -3 ), Cl (2.26 µg m -3 ), K (2.05 µg m -3 ), Ca (0.96 µg m -3 ) and Fe (0.93 µg m -3 ) were recorded during post-monsoon season followed by Zn > Pb > Al > Na > Cu > Ti > As > Cr > Mo > Br > Mg > Ni > Mn > and P. The annual mean concentrations of elemental composition of PM 2.5 accounted for 10% of PM 2.5 (pooled estimate of 5 year). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified the five main sources [crustal/soil/road dust, combustion (BB + FFC), vehicular emissions (VE), industrial emissions (IE) and mixed source (Ti, Cr and Mo rich-source)] of PM 2.5 in Delhi, India.