Seasonal variation and sources of carbonaceous species and elements in PM 2.5 and PM 10 over the eastern Himalaya

The study represents the seasonal characteristics (carbonaceous aerosols and elements) and the contribution of prominent sources of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in the high altitude of the eastern Himalaya (Darjeeling) during August 2018–July 2019. Carbonaceous aerosols [organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC)] and elements (Al, Fe, Ti, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Ni, Mo, Cl, P, S, K, Zr, Pb, Na, Mg, Ca, and B) in PM 2.5 and PM 10 were analyzed to estimate their possible sources. The annual concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 were computed as 37±12 μg m −3 and 58±18 μg m −3 , respectively. In the present case, total carbonaceous species in PM 2.5 and PM 10 were accounted for 20.6% of PM 2.5 and 18.6% of PM 10 , respectively, whereas trace elements in PM 2.5 and PM 10 were estimated to be 15% of PM 2.5 and 12% of PM 10 , respectively. Monthly and seasonal variations in mass concentrations of carbonaceous aerosols and elements in PM 2.5 and PM 10 were also observed during the observational period. In PM 2.5 , the annual concentrations of POC and SOC were 2.35 ± 1.06 μg m −3 (66% of OC) and 1.19±0.57 μg m −3 (34% of OC), respectively, whereas annual average POC and SOC concentrations in PM 10 were 3.18 ± 1.13 μg m −3 (63% of OC) and 2.05±0.98 μg m −3 (37% of OC), respectively. The seasonal contribution of POC and SOC were ranging from 55 to 77% and 33 to 45% of OC in PM 2.5 , respectively, whereas in PM 10 , the seasonal contributions of POC and SOC were ranging from 51 to 73% and 37 to 49% of OC, respectively. The positive relationship between OC & EC and OC & WSOC of PM 2.5 and PM 10 during all the seasons (except monsoon in case of PM 10 ) indicates their common sources. The enrichment factors (EFs) and significant positive correlation of Al with othe crustal elements (Fe, Ca, Mg, and Ti) of fine and coarse mode aerosols indicate the influence of mineral dust at Darjeeling. Principal component analysis (PCA) resolved the four common sources (biomass burning + fossil fuel combustion (BB + FFC), crustal/soil dust, vehicular emissions (VE), and industrial emissions (IE)) of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in Darjeeling.