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Profile of particulate-bound organic compounds in ambient environment of Srinagar: a high-altitude urban location in the North-Western Himalayas

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Abstract

Twenty-four hourly samples of total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) were collected once a week over 17 months in the ambient environment of Srinagar (altitude 1524 m), an urban montane location in the North-Western Himalayas. The samples were analyzed to identify and quantify the presence of diverse organic compounds (OCs) using thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (TD-GCMS). Non-polar organic compounds—n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and molecular tracers (retene and nicotine), were detected in the TSPM samples. Molecular diagnostic ratios, derived from the quantified n-alkanes and PAHs in TSPM, assisted in characterization of the contributing sources. Significant variation in the planetary boundary layer height (meters) with change in season (summer to winter) in this region, also, affected the observed variation in the temporal profile of TSPM-bound OCs. TSPM-bound OCs were predominantly contributed from petroleum and biomass combustion; to a lesser extent from biogenic sources. High concentrations of retene and nicotine, known molecular tracers for coniferous wood combustion and tobacco smoke, respectively, were detected in the winter samples. Seasonal variation in TSPM-bound retene corresponded with the periodicity of biomass burning activity in the region. The benzo(a)pyrene equivalent (BAPE) concentrations, a measure for the carcinogenicity of TSPM-bound PAHs was calculated and the value exceeded the prescribed international standards in winter. This finding poses a major health concern for the inhabitants of this region. High BAPE concentration of PAHs during winter was linked to fossil fuel and biomass combustion, where the prevalent meteorology and topography played a synergistic role.

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Acknowledgments

Authors extend their gratitude to Advanced Instrumentation Research Facility, Jawaharlal Nehru University, for providing TD-GCMS facility. Help extended by Dr. Ankit Tandon and Ajay Kumar in editing the text is acknowledged. Authors acknowledge the role of two anonymous reviewers of this manuscript; their thorough review, suggestions, and comments made have gone a long way in improving the manuscript in its present form.

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  1. School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India

    Behjat Huma, Shweta Yadav & Arun K. Attri

  2. Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Jammu, Bagla (Rahya-Suchani), District Samba, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, 181143, India

    Shweta Yadav

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Huma, B., Yadav, S. & Attri, A.K. Profile of particulate-bound organic compounds in ambient environment of Srinagar: a high-altitude urban location in the North-Western Himalayas. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 7660–7675 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-5994-1

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