Source apportionment studies on particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in ambient air of urban Mangalore, India

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) samples collected from six sites in urban Mangalore exceeded national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) limits, with the highest concentrations found at Town hall (231.5 μg/m3 for PM10) and KMC Attavar (120.3 μg/m3 for PM2.5). Elemental analysis revealed various metals (As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sr, and Zn) in both PM10 and PM2.5, while ion chromatography identified numerous ions (F-, Cl-, NO3-, PO43-, SO42-, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and NH4+). A chemical mass balance model (CMBv8.2) source apportionment study indicated that vehicular emissions significantly contribute to PM10 (paved road dust, diesel and gasoline vehicles) and PM2.5 (two-wheeler, four-wheeler, and heavy vehicle emissions), accounting for approximately 70% of the total PM10 and PM2.5 in Mangalore’s ambient air.