Title: Formation of atmospheric nitrate under high Particulate Matter concentration

Authors: Kaushik Shandilya; Akhilendra Bhushan Gupta; Mukesh Khare

Addresses: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, USA. ' Department of Civil Engineering, MNIT Jaipur, Jaipur 302017 Rajasthan, India. ' Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India

Abstract: This study was primarily initiated to understand the consistently moderate levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in Indian cities in spite of increasing NOx emissions. The research objective was to understand NO₃^? formation as a NOx function, and other atmospheric constituents. For this purpose, air quality monitoring was conducted at four locations in Delhi city, India (during October–November, 2000), representing various land-use patterns. The NO₃^? levels were found to be 4.9–15.1 µgm^?3 in PM_2.5 and 7.3–21.9 µgm^?3 in PM₁₀. The high NO₃^? levels could provide a plausible explanation for moderate NOx concentration levels in Delhi city.

Keywords: nitrogen oxides; NOx emissions; atmospheric nitrate; particulate matter; PM2.5; PM10; sulphate; potassium; sodium; organic matter; crustal matter; migration pathways; sustainable development; sustainability; India; air quality; air pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/WRSTSD.2011.044213

World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 2011 Vol.8 No.2/3/4, pp.148 - 165

Published online: 13 Dec 2011 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article