Ambient Air Quality Monitoring in Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, India

摘要

During the summer of 2008, concentrations of oxides of nitrogen (NO_x), oxides of sulphur (SO_x), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and carbon monoxide (CO) were collected over successive periods of about 8 hour at eight sites. High volume air sampler was used to measure the concentration of oxides of nitrogen (NO_x), oxides of sulphur (So_x), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and carbon monoxide (CO). The results reported pertain to an eight hour successive preliminary air sampling exercise carried out at each. of the eight select locations in Chidambaram, a southern semi urban settlement in India. Criteria pollutants SPM, CO, SO_2 and NO_2 measured are found to have either crossed or on the average of crossing the limits, necessitating the immediate installation of a continuous monitoring and control mechanism. While transport related emissions are the major sources of air contamination, increasing civil construction activities also contribute to particulates. The exponential rise in volume of vehicles, disadvantageous traffic flow pattern, differing driving cycle pattern and human interceptions deserve due attention. The concentrations of SOx were below the prescribed limits. The SPM values were exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) at all the eight locations. The NO_x values were exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) at six locations. The CO values were exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) at six locations.