Investigation of Variation in Ambient PM10 Levels within an Urban-Industrial Environment

Major factors responsible for variation occurring in ambient particulate levels in urban areas are, growing of a number of stationary and mobile sources of particulate matter and meteorological parameters. The work presented here focused on the effect of meteorological parameters on ambient PM levels and the relationship of those levels at industrial complexes with their components at receptor ambient sites. Seven monitoring stations were identified in the study area for the measurement of PM10 levels during 2005-06. Of the seven sampling stations three were located in three major industrial complexes in the study area, and the remaining four were taken as receptor zones of particulate matter. All receptor-PM10 values showed moderate correlation with specific industrial complexes. Most of the receptors showed PM10 levels exceeding Indian NAAQS for residential areas. An inverse relationship between PM10 levels and meteorological parameters has been obtained.