Evaluating the variability, transport and periodicity of particulate matter over smart city Bhubaneswar, a tropical coastal station of eastern India

Abstract

Air pollution has become a matter of concern over Indian mega-cities. In the present study, we analyse the variation of particulate matter (PM) (PM10 and PM2.5) over Bhubaneswar (20.18°N, 85.50°E, 45 above MSL), which is a coastal Indian station, and the state capital of Odisha. Variation of meteorological parameters (i.e. air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction) over the station shows low winds originating and transported mainly from land areas during post-monsoon and winter, and from the Bay of Bengal during pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. The site, in general, has evident diurnal variations of meteorological parameters and PM, other than monsoon season. In addition to surface observations at the site, 48-h back trajectory calculation by HYSPLIT model and the study employs potential source contribution function analysis for precise identification of the transported pollution areas for different seasons.