Particle size distribution and its elemental composition in the ambient air of Delhi

This study examines the chemical composition of PM10, the thoracic fraction of the atmospheric particulate matter. An eight-stage Anderson impactor is used to separate the PM10 from other fractions with different aerodynamic behaviour at three different area representative sites in Delhi from February to May 1998. PM10 particulate are subdivided into two fractions, coarse (> 2.1-10 microns) and fine (< 2.1 microns). The concentrations of major heavy metals such as Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, and Fe are determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The average concentration of coarse fraction of PM10 is found to be 68.3 +/- 17 micrograms/m3 while the fine fraction of PM10 is 71.3 +/- 15 micrograms/m3 for Delhi. Metal concentration (except Fe) in fine fraction exceeds by a factor of up to 6, as compared to that in the coarse fraction. In order to identify the major sources of fine and coarse fraction of PM10, principle component analysis (PCA) was undertaken and three major sources were identified, namely vehicular emissions, industrial emission, and soil resuspension.