Characterization of Particulate Matters and Volatile Organic Compounds in the Ambient Environment of Open Dump Sites

Journal Title: Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology - Year 2011, Vol 1, Issue 2

Abstract

Green house gas (GHGs) and particulate emissions are considered as one of the major issues in recent years from municipal solid waste dumping sites. Open burning is also very common, which emits plenty of volatile organic compounds and pose serious threat to the associated environment. Hence, characterization of air born pollutants from such dumping environment is necessary at this juncture to develop stringent regulatory rules in developing countries. Therefore, the study objective considered to characterize the ambient air samples from two municipal solid waste dumpsites viz., Kodungaiyur and Perungudi in Chennai during two different seasons. The characterization study showed that dust, black carbon, ammonia, sulphate and nitrate were the major species of PM10 and PM2.5. Major metal ions like Al, B, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ca, K, Mg, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn were also identified in the particulates. Concentrations of particulates were observed to be high during the summer as compared to that of monsoon period in both the dumpsites. The respirable particulate matter in air samples varied widely between 211 µg/m3 and 900 µg/m3, and exceeding the upper limits of 150 µg/m3 standards prescribed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), as well as United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA). The concentrations NOx is much higher than SOx in Kodungaiyur samples. The ambient air samples were also contained hazardous organic compounds such as diethyl phthalate, decane, dodecane, octane, nonane, methenamine, cyclobutane, carbon disulfide and acetone diperoxide.

Authors and Affiliations

Obuli P. Karthikeyan, S. Murugesan, Kurian Joseph, Ligy Philip

Keywords

Related Articles

Challenges of Climate Change Vis-A-Vis Tactic for Cooling the Earth

Climate change is a world wide reality discussed and debated at every corner of scientific, political and economical forms. However, it can be tackle, if timely mitigation practices widely adopted for cooling the earth...

Assessment of Water Quality Index of Nambol River, Manipur, India

Water Quality Index (WQI) Nambol River was analysed from July 2014 to January 2015 based on various physicochemical parameters obtained during this period. Nambol river flows through the small town of Nambol in Bishnup...

Toxic Metal Contamination on the River near Industrial Area of Dhaka

The present study investigates the anthropogenic metal input in to the river system, the toxic metal contamination in the sediment of the river and evaluates the dissolution of metal from soil to surface water or leach...

Some Observation on Dray Building and Jumping Behavior of Indian Giant Squirrel Ratufa Indica (Erxleben, 1777)

The ability of arboreal forms to leap from great heights without harm is valuable adaptation to life high above the ground surface (Koli et al., 2011). Tree squirrel commonly occupy nests to avoid predators and rear...

Lead Toxicity and Postnatal Development of Gastrointestinal Tract

The present review deals with the maternal transfer of lead through the placenta during pregnancy and its deleterious effects on developing gastrointestinal tract. Exposure to lead is more dangerous for young and unbor...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP31633
  • DOI -
  • Views 377
  • Downloads 2

How To Cite

Obuli P. Karthikeyan, S. Murugesan, Kurian Joseph, Ligy Philip (2011). Characterization of Particulate Matters and Volatile Organic Compounds in the Ambient Environment of Open Dump Sites. Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology, 1(2), -. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-31633