Kumar, S. and Aggarwal, S. G. and Malherbe, J. and Barre, J. P. G. and Berail, S. and Gupta, P. K. and Donard, O. F. X. (2016) Tracing dust transport from Middle-East over Delhi in March 2012 using metal and lead isotope composition. Atmospheric Environment, 132. 179 -187. ISSN 1352-2310

PDF - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (1407Kb) | Request a copy

Abstract

A severe dust-storm which was originated in Middle-East crossed over Delhi during March 20-22, 2012. We have collected these dust-storm (DS) aerosol samples, and analyzed them for selected metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, V and Zn) together with after dust-storm (ADS) and winter (WS) samples. High aerosol mass loadings were observed in DS samples (1097-1965 mu g/m(3)). On the contrary, metals derived prominently from the anthropogenic sources were found lower in concentration compared to that of ADS and WS aerosols. We observed significantly high concentrations of Ni and V (which are abundantly found in crude oils of Middle-East origin) in the DS samples than that of ADS and WS samples. Also enrichment factor (EF) of these metals with respect to Fe shows no significant enrichment (<10). Fe (and Sr) concentrations were also 3-5 fold higher in DS samples compared to ADS and WS. These results suggest that Ni and V can be used as tracers for dust aerosols transported from Middle-East region. Lead isotope signatures can tell about the variation in the sources of urban aerosols. Therefore Pb isotope analyses of these samples were performed using MC-ICP-MS. The isotope ratios, Pb-208/Pb-206 is determined to be (mean +/- sd) 2.1315 +/- 0.0018, 2.1370 +/- 0.0022 and 2.1389 +/- 0.0016, whereas Pb-206/Pb-207 is 1.1311 +/- 0.0022, 1.1244 +/- 0.0017 and 1.1233 +/- 0.0016 in DS, ADS and WS aerosols, respectively. There is a clear distinction in Pb isotope composition between DS and urban (ADS and WS) aerosols. Further, these results suggest that in urban aerosols, Pb is less radiogenic in nature compared to that of in transported dust aerosols collected in New Delhi.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to M/s Elsevier.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Dust Aerosols Metal Lead Isotope Tracers
Subjects:	Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User:	Dr. Rajpal Walke
Date Deposited:	23 Apr 2018 11:58
Last Modified:	23 Apr 2018 11:58
URI:	http://npl.csircentral.net/id/eprint/2399

Actions (login required)

View Item