Spatial Variability of Finer Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) Mass Concentrations over the Jammu Urban Area

Atmospheric fine aerosols (PM2.5) have become a major concern in the context of rapidly deteriorating urban air quality by significantly affecting air quality, visibility, human health, and the earth’s climate. In this work, PM2.5 aerosol samples were collected during the summer (May-June) season at three different sites of Jammu urban area, Jammu and Kashmir. Significant site-specific spatial variation in PM2.5 mass concentrations was observed. The highest mass concentration of PM2.5 was observed at Site-2, a commercial hub with an average concentration 89.8 μg/m3 ± 34.7, and at Site-3, an Institutional area having an average PM2.5 concentration 67.9 μg/m3 ± 28.7 while the lowest concentrations were reported at Site-1, a residential area having an average concentration of 49.4 μg/m3 ± 22.7. Besides, 22.2%, 77.8%, and 44.4% of the samples at Site-1, Site-2, and Site-3, respectively exceeded National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 60 μg/m3 prescribed by CPCB. The high PM2.5 in the commercial area can be attributed to higher vehicular movement and commercial activities. Site-3, University of Jammu, is an Institutional area where high concentrations of PM2.5 are possibly due to high vehicular movement in the campus and the use of generators for power backup.