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HERO ID
385339
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Spatio-temporal variability in atmospheric abundances of EC, OC and WSOC over Northern India
Author(s)
Ram, K; Sarin, MM
Year
2010
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Journal of Aerosol Science
ISSN:
0021-8502
EISSN:
1879-1964
Volume
41
Issue
1
Page Numbers
88-98
Number of Pages
11
DOI
10.1016/j.jaerosci.2009.11.004
Web of Science Id
WOS:000274866800009
URL
http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S002185020900202X
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Abstract
The atmospheric abundances of elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC) and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) have been measured in aerosol samples collected during wintertime (December-March) from selected sites (urban, rural and high-altitude) in northern India. A characteristic feature of their abundance pattern, at urban sites, is reflected in the OC/EC ratios (range: 2.4-14.5, Av=7.8±2.4, n=77) indicating dominant contribution from biomass burning sources (wood-fuel and agriculture waste). This is in sharp contrast to the OC/EC ratios at a rural site (range: 2.1-4.0, Av=3.1±0.6, n=7) influenced by emissions from coal-fired industries. The long-term measurements made from a high-altitude site (~2000 m amsl) reveal significantly lower abundances of EC and OC; suggesting that boundary layer dynamics (during wintertime) play an important role in efficient trapping of pollutants within the Indo-Gangetic Plain (northern India). The WSOC/OC ratios are fairly uniform (~0.35) in aerosols over urban sites but relatively enhanced contribution of WSOC and higher ratios (~0.5) at a high-altitude site emphasizes the significance of secondary organic aerosols. The comprehensive data set on EC, OC and WSOC/OC ratios from northern India is crucial to improve model parameterization of carbonaceous aerosols for atmospheric scattering and absorption of solar radiation on a regional scale.
Keywords
AerosolOrganic carbonElemental carbonWater-soluble organic carbon
Month
01
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