Variability in TSPM BOUND EC/OC and BC with respect to ambient meteorological conditions in Srinagar J&K India

Abstract

More than a yearlong investigation (2008-2009) was carried in Srinagar, in the North-Western folds of Himalayas, involving the estimation of Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSPM) and different carbonaceous fractions associated with it namely, Total carbon (TC), Elemental carbon (EC), Black Carbon (BC) Organic carbon (OC), no such direct estimates were available at that time for the valley and neither have they been updated till date. The samples collected on quartz filter using high volume sampler in a time series sequence and analyzed reflected marked seasonal dependence. The variability observed in carbonaceous contents of ambient aerosols was found to be similar as generally observed from other urban areas, however the re-lief along with prevalent meteorology was found to have a profound impact on the concentra-tion of TSPM as well its constituent carbonaceous fractions. The higher values of TSPM were observed during summer months and the contribution of OC to TC as well. The contribution of EC to Tc was higher during colder months, EC arising from combustion sources attributed largely to petrogenic sources (fossil fuel) could be distinctly seen to be augmented by the biomass burning during autumn and winter; also increase in the OC content mainly starting in spring and continuing through to summer can be to attributed to active biogenic sources.