title: Seasonal variations and source profile of n-alkanes in particulate matter (PM10) at a heavy traffic site, Delhi.
abstract: Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The generation of aerosols in the lower atmosphere of the city is mainly due to a large amount of natural dust advection and sizable anthropogenic activities. The compositions of organic compounds in aerosols are highly variable in this region and need to be investigated thoroughly. Twenty-four-hour sampling to assess concentrations of n-alkanes (ng/m3) in PM10was carried out during January 2015 to June 2015 at Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW) Campus, Delhi, India. The total average concentration of n-alkanes, 243.7 ± 5.5 ng/m3, along with the diagnostic tools has been calculated. The values of CPI1, CPI2, and CPI3for the whole range of n-alkanes series, petrogenic n-alkanes, and biogenic n-alkanes were 1.00, 1.02, and 1.04, respectively, and Cmaxwere at C25and C27. Diagnostic indices and curves indicated that the dominant inputs of n-alkanes are from petrogenic emissions, with lower contribution from biogenic emissions. Significant seasonal variations were observed in average concentrations of n-alkanes, which is comparatively higher in winter (187.4 ± 4.3 ng/m3) than during the summer season (56.3 ± 1.1 ng/m3).
authors.affiliation: Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, 110078, India.
authors.forename: Sarika
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, Delhi, 110006, India. ranugadi@igdtuw.ac.in.
authors.forename: Ranu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gadi
authors.affiliation: CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K. S. Krishnan Road, New Delhi, 110012, India.
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Mandal
authors.affiliation: CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K. S. Krishnan Road, New Delhi, 110012, India.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000473:Alkanes / Q000032:analysis; D001272:Atmosphere; D002947:Cities; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D007194:India; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000473:Alkanes; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D052638:Particulate Matter; D001335:Vehicle Emissions
keywords: Aerosols; Organic compounds; Seasonal variation; Source profiles; n-Alkanes