Title: Aerosol characteristics at a continental urban station in southern India

Authors: V. Vinoj, S.K. Satheesh, K. Krishna Moorthy

Addresses: Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India. ' Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India. ' Space Physics Laboratory, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Trivandrum 695 022, India

Abstract: Spectral Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), Black Carbon (BC) mass concentration and Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) measurements were made at an urban continental location, Bangalore (13°N, 77.6°E), in southern India. These results show that AODs reach a maximum during April (∼0.5) and minimum during December (∼0.2) at 500 nm. BC and SPM showed variations of 0.6-4.2 μg m³ and 120-195 μg m³, respectively. The Angstrom wavelength exponent (α) was ∼1.0 during the dry season (December–April), which, in conjunction with the high optical depth, indicates significant anthropogenic influence. Boundary layer dynamics plays an important role in the redistribution of aerosols at the surface. The seasonal variations in AOD, BC and SPM have an association with monsoon rainfall. The similarity in the seasonal characteristics of AOD, BC and SPM shows that the location is mostly characterised by anthropogenic activities during the dry periods (December–April).

Keywords: atmospheric composition; aerosols; particles; arid region; meteorology; radiative processes; India; urban stations; railways; boundary layer dynamics; spectral aerosol optical depth; AOD; black carbon mass concentration; suspended particulate matter.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2009.026896

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2009 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.256 - 266

Published online: 28 Jun 2009 *

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