Seasonal characteristics and sources of carbonaceous components and elements of PM10 (2010–2019) in Delhi, India

Abstract

In this study we present the seasonal chemical characteristics and potential sources of PM₁₀ at an urban location of Delhi, India during 2010˗2019. The concentrations of carbonaceous aerosols [organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) and water insoluble organic carbon (WIOC)] and elements (Al, Fe, Ti, Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cr, F, Cl, Br, P, S, K, As, Na, Mg, Ca, B, Ni, Mo, V, Sr, Zr and Rb) in PM₁₀ were estimated to explore their possible sources. The annual average concentration (2010–2019) of PM₁₀ was computed as 227 ± 97 µg m⁻³ with a range of 34˗734 µg m⁻³. The total carbonaceous aerosols in PM₁₀ was accounted for 22.5% of PM₁₀ mass concentration, whereas elements contribution to PM₁₀ was estimated to be 17% of PM₁₀. The statistical analysis of OC vs. EC and OC vs. WSOC of PM₁₀ reveals their common sources (biomass burning and/or fossil fuel combustion) during all the seasons. Enrichment factors (EFs) of the elements and the relationship of Al with other crustal metals (Fe, Ca, Mg and Ti) of PM₁₀ indicates the abundance of mineral dust over Delhi. Principal component analysis (PCA) extracted the five major sources [industrial emission (IE), biomass burning + fossil fuel combustion (BB + FFC), soil dust, vehicular emissions (VE) and sodium and magnesium salts (SMS)] of PM₁₀ in Delhi, India. Back trajectory and cluster analysis of airmass parcel indicate that the pollutants approaching to Delhi are mainly from Pakistan, IGP region, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.