Chemical and morphological study of PM10 and PM2.5 in Pune, India

PM10 and PM2.5 ambient samples were collected by a particulate sampler (APM 550, Envirotech) in the Department of Chemistry, University of Pune, India. Exposed filters were used to determine the mass, ionic composition and morphology of fine PM. The mean PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were 16.69 ± 5.6 μg m-3 and 11.68 ± 4.1 μg m-3, respectively. Neutralisation factors for all major cations were computed and found to be higher for Ca2+ while for PM2.5 it was higher for NH4 +. Calculation revealed that in particulate matter 25% of SO4 2- in both PM10 and PM2.5 and 30% of NO 3 - in PM10 is coming from anthropogenic sources, whereas other species are coming mainly from the natural sources. Morphology and chemical composition of 236 individual particles were determined by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer. Based on morphological study, the particles were clustered as: Si-rich particles (56%), soot (16%), oxides (10%), sulphates (8%), carbonates (5%), metal-rich (4%), and biological particles (3%). © 2014 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.