Temporal variations of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration over Hyderabad

The association between urbanization and health at the global level, as well as the role of air pollution, has increased the interest in studies, aimed to improve the air quality of urban areas. Addressing the challenges of pollution caused by urbanization plays a crucial role in developing sustainable urbanization. Understanding the temporal characteristics of particulate matter mass concentrations with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 µm and 10 µm (PM2.5 and PM10) is very important to counter the effect of air pollution. We have analysed and interpreted the diurnal, monthly and seasonal variations of one-hour average PM concentrations taken from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for six stations over Hyderabad, India during March 2018 to February 2020. Average concentrations of PM2.5 (41.5 μg/m3) and PM10 (91.52 μg/m3) for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019) are found to exceed the standard values of World Health Organization (WHO) standards (PM2.5 = 10 μg/m3 and PM10 = 20 μg/m3) and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) (PM2.5 = 40 μg/m3 and PM10 = 60 μg/m3). A clear diurnal and seasonal variations are observed for all the stations. In diurnal cycle, a large PM concentration was observed between 8 AM to 10 AM and again between 6 PM to 9 PM with a minimum at 3 PM in all seasons and also for all stations which clearly shows semidiurnal variations. Data analysis shows a high concentration of particulate matter in winter compared to other seasons. The PM2.5 (PM10) concentrations in winter were found to be increased by three (two times) when compared to monsoon. The ratio of PM2.5 to PM10 is very close to 0.5 during post-monsoon and winter, and 0.4 in summer and monsoon seasons, which clearly shows that PM2.5 comprises a major portion of PM10. The PM2.5 and PM10 are highly correlated with correlation coefficient 0.9. Out of 6 stations, Zoo Park is contributing more particulate matter pollutant concentrations. © 2020 Technoscience Publications. All rights reserved.