Study of atmospheric electrical conductivity, SO2, NO2, aerosols SPM (>10 μ) and RSPM (<10 μ) in Mysore city, India

It is well known that atmospheric electrical conductivity is mainly due to the presence of small ions. Near the surface of the earth, radon and its daughter products predominantly produce small ions. In the presence of aerosol particles, the small ion concentration is reduced due to attachment of small ions to aerosol particles which decreases mobility and conductivity in the atmosphere. The ion pair production rate is estimated from the measured radon and its progeny concentrations and correlated with electrical conductivity of the atmosphere. Measurement of concentrations of suspended particulate matter (SPM), SO2, and NO2 of air was also carried out. Data showed that reduced electrical conductivity was related to concentration of airborne SPM.