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A study of the gaseous and particulate pollutants in the environment of a thermal power plant project area

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Abstract

Observations on gaseous and particulate pollutants were undertaken at four locations in the region of a thermal power plant (TPP), which is under construction at Tuticorin, south India. The predicted concentrations Of SO2 due to the emissions from the TPP and its possible impact on the inhabitants and climate in the downwind region were evaluated. Also, the predicted concentrations downwind of a Petrochemical Industrial Complex (PIC) located in the vicinity of the TPP were computed and compared with the measured concentrations.

The predicted maximum concentration of SO2 at 6 km downwind of TPP is about 530 μg m−3 under most favourable wind conditions. The anticipated increase in SO2 due to the thermal power plant under construction may therefore be substantial.

The predicted concentrations Of SO2, at a distance of 1.8 km downwind of the PIC, varied between 34 and 216 μg m−3 for wind directions ranging from 70 to 90° and for Pasquill stability category C. The plume would be over the observational site when the wind direction is 80°. The maximum measured concentration was 23 ug m−3. The discrepancy was due to the rapid fluctuations in the wind direction during the observational period over a wide range from 20 to 90°.

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Khemani, L.T., Naik, M.S., Momini, G.A. et al. A study of the gaseous and particulate pollutants in the environment of a thermal power plant project area. Water Air Soil Pollut 13, 303–316 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02145475

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02145475

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