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Temporal dynamics of urban air pollutants and their correlation with associated meteorological parameters: an investigation in northern Indian cities

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Abstract

This study delves into the intricate dynamics of air pollution in the rapidly expanding northern regions of India, examining the intertwined influences of agricultural burning, industrialization, and meteorological conditions. Through comprehensive analysis of key pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, O3) across ten monitoring stations in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Punjab, a consistent pattern of high pollution levels emerges, particularly notable in Delhi. Varanasi leads in SO2 and O3 concentrations, while Moradabad stands out for CO levels, and Jalandhar for SO2 concentrations. The study further elucidates the regional distribution of pollutants, with Punjab receiving significant contributions from SW, SE, and NE directions, while Haryana and Delhi predominantly face air masses from SE and NE directions. Uttar Pradesh’s pollution sources are primarily local, with additional inputs from various directions. Moreover, significant negative correlations (p < 0.05) between PM10, NO2, SO2, O3, and relative humidity (RH) underscore the pivotal role of meteorological factors in shaping pollutant levels. Strong positive correlations between PM2.5 and NO2 (0.71 to 0.93) suggest shared emission sources or similar atmospheric conditions in several cities. This comprehensive understanding highlights the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies to address the multifaceted drivers of air pollution, ensuring the protection of public health and environmental sustainability across the region.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Agra College, Agra, Dr, Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Pushpendra Singh Soni, Vikram Singh, Rolly Singh & Alka Gautam

  2. Atmospheric Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, HNBGU, Uttarakhand, India

    Alok Sagar Gautam, Karan Singh & Sanjeev Kumar

  3. School of Science and Technology, Jigyasa University ( Formerly, Himgiri Zee University), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

    Manish Sharma

  4. Department of Physics, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Govt. Degree College, Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Surendra Pratap Singh

  5. Division of Civil Engineering, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, 641 114, Tamil Nadu, India

    Sneha Gautam

  6. Water Institute, A Centre of Excellence, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, 641 114, Tamil Nadu, India

    Sneha Gautam

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  1. Pushpendra Singh Soni
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Contributions

Pushpendra Singh Soni, Alok Sagar Gautam, and Sneha Gautam wrote the main manuscript text.

Vikram Singh, Karan Singh, Manish Sharma, Prepared figures and software validation.

Rolly Singh, Alka Gautam, Surendra Pratap Singh, Sanjeev Kumar Methodology and field work including data collection.All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Alok Sagar Gautam or Sneha Gautam.

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Soni, P.S., Singh, V., Gautam, A.S. et al. Temporal dynamics of urban air pollutants and their correlation with associated meteorological parameters: an investigation in northern Indian cities. Environ Monit Assess 196, 505 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12678-z

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