PM10 Sampling and AOD Trends during 2016 Winter Fog Season in the Islamabad Region

摘要: ABSTRACT PM10 samples were collected during intensive fog days in Islamabad, Pakistan, to investigate the impact of particulate matter on formation. The PM10 concentrations monitored at Institute Space Technology site using a high-volume air sampler and its elemental composition was studied Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Sampling done for duration 24 hours selected days, including all foggy period from January 2016 February 2016. concentration PM10 varied 123 µg m–3 to 202 m–3 with an overall mean 177 m–3. On most occasions, PM10 levels considerably high as compared permissible limits both Pak-NEQS WHO guidelines. It has been observed that quality much worse, with elevated levels days. SEM- EDS revealed presence different elements some metals Si, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cr, Pb, Al etc. morphological studies suggest particles are crystalline shape, suggesting their main source soil. Some samples also showed round spherical shape which refers anthropogenic source. sun photometer observations aerosol optical depth (AOD) satellite Aqua’s Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) significant correlation. Moreover, level AOD found heavy validated associated PM10