Title: Diurnal and seasonal variations of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide in Delhi city

Authors: Shiva Nagendra, Mukesh Khare

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India

Abstract: Motor vehicle exhaust emissions are one of the major causes of air quality deterioration in most of the cities of the developing world. Carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) are significant contributors to this adverse effect on the environment. This study analyses air quality data for three years from 1997 to 1999, at two air quality control regions in Delhi city. The regions are a major traffic intersection and the moderately busy straight Khelgaon Marg road. The data were obtained from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi. The results show that the highest ground-level concentrations of CO and NO₂ occurred during winter (November to March) and the lowest during the tropical monsoon period (July to September) at both regions. Typical average monthly, weekly and diurnal cycles of CO at both regions have also been analysed, and show that CO concentrations are higher at the intersection than along the road. Further, the monthly average NO₂ concentrations were also found to be higher at the intersection.

Keywords: exhaust emissions; ground-level concentration; heterogeneous traffic; meteorology; straight road; traffic intersection; urban air quality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2003.002350

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2003 Vol.19 No.1, pp.75-96

Published online: 16 Jul 2003 *

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