Journal of Environmental Biology

A study on major inorganic ion composition of atmospheric aerosols

P.R. Salve*, R.J. Krupadam and S.R. Wate

Environmental Impact and Risk Assessment Division,

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nehru Marg, Nagpur-440 020, India

(Received: July 25, 2005 ; Revised received: January 14, 2006 ; Accepted: March 15, 2006)

Abstract: Atmospheric aerosol samples were collected from Akola and Buldana region covering around 40 sqkm area during October-November 2002 and were analyzed for ten major inorganic ions namely F^-, Cl^-, NO₃^-, SO₄^2-, PO₄^2-, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and NH₄⁺ using ion chromatographic technique. The average mass of aerosols was found to be 225.81 mg/m³ with standard deviation of 31.29 and average total water soluble load of total cations and anions was found to be 4.32 mg/m³. The concentration of ions in samples showed a general pattern as SO₄^2->NO₃^->Cl^- >PO₄^2->F^- for anions and Na⁺> Ca²⁺> NH₄⁺> Mg²⁺>K⁺ for cations. The overall composition of the aerosols was taken into account to identify the sources. The trend showed higher concentration of sodium followed by calcium, sulfate, nitrate, phosphate and ammoinum and found to be influenced by terrestrial sources. The presence of SO₄^2- and NO₃^-  in aerosols may be due to re-suspension of soil particles. Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl^- are to be derived from soil materials. The presence of NH⁺₄ may be attributed to the reaction of NH₃ vapors with acidic gases may react or condense on an acidic particle surface of anthropogenic origin. The atmospheric aerosol is slightly acidic due to neutralization of basicity by SO₂ and NOx.

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