Chemical characterization of wintertime aerosols over the Arabian Sea: Impact of marine sources and long-range transport

摘要: Abstract We examined here the compositional characteristics of total suspended particulate (TSP) samples collected along east coast Arabian Sea during a winter cruise (SS379: 6–24 December 2018) to understand extent influence air pollutants from terrestrial sources. The TSP (N = 17) were analyzed for water-soluble inorganic species (WSIS), elemental carbon (EC), organic (OC) and (WSOC). Backward mass trajectories satellite-based fire counts revealed an long-range transport biomass burning emissions in Indo-Gangetic Plain southern India. Anthropogenic (82–97%) SO42− is most abundant WSIS followed by Na+ and/or NH4+. Ambient EC loadings (0.5–2.4 μg m−3) OC/EC ratios (2.5–10.5) are higher than usually expected fossil-fuel combustion Low NO3−/non-sea-salt (0.08–0.49), as well high nss-K+/EC (0.14–1.18) WSOC/OC (0.30–0.74), highlight significance coal regional influx Sea. multiple linear regression analysis has indicated strong correlations among sea salt components (Na+, Cl− Mg2+), carbonaceous (OC, WSOC), anthropogenic (NH4+ SO42−). Furthermore, we used minimum R-squared technique based primary ratio EC-tracer method estimate contribution secondary (SOC) OC (7–61%) (0.7–11%). Overall, composition characterized 21 ± 10% matter, 2.3 ± 1.1% EC, 21 ± 9% 43 ± 15% unidentified fraction including dust. This study implications understanding evolving nature aerosols continental outflows.