Statistical Analysis of Suspended and Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (PM10and PM2.5) Concentrations in Urban Region of Ahmedabad, India

In this study, the relationship between inhalable particulate (PM10), fine particulate (PM2.5), coarse particles (PM2.5-10) and meteorological parameters such as temperature and relative humidity was statistically analyzed and modeled for the urban region of Ahmedabad during 2018-2019. Ambient air quality was monitored with a sampling frequency of 3 hours at 100 monitoring sites, covering a period of four months from September 2018 to February 2019. The monitoring sites were located near highly trafficked, industrial and congested areas. The 24-h average PM10 were measured using a Portable air sampler (APM 801, Envirotech instruments Pvt.Ltd.). Meteorological parameters such as temperature, relative humidity and wind speed were also recorded during the sampling period. It was found that approximately 6% of PM10 concentrations were exceeding the standard value of 60 μg/m3 and approximately 5% of PM2.5 concentrations were exceeding the standard value of 40 μg/m3. The ratios between PM2.5 and PM10 were found to be in the range of 0.380(December) to 1.051(January). Statistical analyses have shown a strong positive correlation between PM10 and PM2.5. The correlation of 0.975 was obtained between PM10 and PM2.5 for the entire site area. Finally, a regression equation for PM10 and PM2.5 and meteorological parameters were developed