PM 10 Bound Elements,Ions,Carbon and PAHs during Festive Biomass Burning over the Brahmaputra Valley

Abstract

Episodic meji burning (a festive biomass burning) is a significant local contributor of PM₁₀ in the mid-Brahmaputra Valley. The PM₁₀ samples of meji burning period were chemically characterized for elements, ions, carbon and the USEPA’s 16 priority Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). This paper presents the concentrations of various attributes of PM₁₀ during meji festivities. As such, linear relationship between EC, OC and other chemical species, and diagnostic ratios of selected PAHs indicated strong influence of biomass burning on PM₁₀ load and its properties.