Saxena et al. (2014) Study on particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons over Bay of Bengal in winter season

Identification

• Journal: Atmospheric Research
• Year: 2014
• Date: 2014-04-12
• Authors: Mohit Raj Saxena, Dharam Singh, T. Saud, Ranu Gadi, Sachchidanand Singh, Sudhir Kumar Sharma, T. K. Mandal
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2014.04.001

Research Groups

• CSIR — National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, India
• Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India

Short Summary

This study estimated particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations over the Bay of Bengal during winter 2008–2009, finding an average concentration of 6.65 ± 2.86 ng/m³ and identifying motor vehicle emissions, biomass burning, and coal combustion as primary sources.

Objective

• To estimate the concentration and characterize the composition of particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) over the Bay of Bengal during the winter season (2008–2009).
• To identify potential sources of these PAHs using statistical analysis and molecular ratios.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Bay of Bengal (marine environment)
• Temporal Scale: Winter season (2008–2009)

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Not explicitly stated; the study primarily used observational data analysis and statistical methods (Principal Component Analysis).
• Data sources: Integrated Campaign on Aerosol, Gases and Radiation Budget (ICARB-W) conducted on board the research vessel Sagar Kanya. Measurements included particulate PAH concentrations and associated chemical species (nss-K⁺, nss-SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC)).

Main Results

• The average concentration of particulate PAHs (Σ11) over the Bay of Bengal was 6.65 ± 2.86 ng/m³, with a range from 0.28 ng/m³ to 1.15 ng/m³.
• Middle and high molecular weight PAHs (4–6 rings) constituted more than 50% of the total PAHs.
• Photochemical oxidation analysis (using BaA/Chy and BaP/BbF ratios) indicated fresh release of air masses from local sources or nearby coastal areas.
• Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis suggested that motor vehicle emissions, biomass burning, and coal combustion are the principal sources of PAHs in the region during winter.

Contributions

• Provides specific quantitative data on particulate PAH concentrations and composition over the Bay of Bengal, a region with limited such studies, especially during winter.
• Identifies key anthropogenic sources of PAHs in the marine atmosphere of the Bay of Bengal, contributing to a better understanding of regional air pollution transport and its potential impacts.
• Utilizes a combination of molecular ratios and statistical methods (PCA) to robustly infer source apportionment in a complex marine environment.

Funding

• Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Saxena2014Study,
  author = {Saxena, Mohit Raj and Singh, Dharam and Saud, T. and Gadi, Ranu and Singh, Sachchidanand and Sharma, Sudhir Kumar and Mandal, T. K.},
  title = {Study on particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons over Bay of Bengal in winter season},
  journal = {Atmospheric Research},
  year = {2014},
  doi = {10.1016/j.atmosres.2014.04.001},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2014.04.001}
}