Some observations on the characteristics of aerosols at traffic junctions in Pune city

Abstract

Vehicular emissions are one of the potential sources of air pollution, especially in the urban regions. Pune, one of the rapidly growing cities of India, faces a severe threat from this problem. Observations of Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) and Aitken Nuclei (AN) were conducted at four traffic junctions in the city during summer (May 2000) and winter (Jan-Feb 2001). Concentrations of TSP were very high at all the traffic junctions and also the number density of AN was very high. Concentrations of all the measured constituents were more, except NH₄ and Cu, at traffic junctions than those reported at Pashan, a semi-rural location, comparatively away from vehicular effects.