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(15-16) Chemical Characteristics of Atmospheric Wet and Dry deposition around Industrial Sites. Singh, Raj Kumar*,1, Agrawal, Madhoolika2, 1 Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh2 Reader, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh ABSTRACT- Atmospheric deposition influences many atmospheric variations such as acidification of clouds, rain and fog etc. Both the gaseous and particulate components of atmospheric depositions, contribute to deterioration of air quality. The present work reports on characterization of deposition in an industrial area located around several open cast coalmines and thermal power plants at Singrauli region, Sonbhadra, U.P., India. During the study period dry deposition was estimated across the sites on monthly basis and wet deposition on event basis. The collected samples were analyzed for pH, conductivity, cations: NH4+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, etc and anions: such as SO42-, NO3-, Cl- etc. Depositional chemistry was characterized by high concentration of sulphate, nitrate, ammonium and calcium, etc in the immediate vicinity of thermal power plants, which became relatively low as one moves away from the power plant. Monthly deposition of major ions was the result of two superimposed patterns: One pattern related to the volume of precipitation and the other showed the seasonal influence of the major ionic sources. The monthly variation in rainwater pH clearly indicates that early rainfall is more alkaline and as rainy season precedes rainwater showed lower pH. The SO42- concentration showed a significant correlation with the local SO2 emission. The concentrations of Ca2+, Na+ were high due to high level of total suspended particulate (TSP) in the study area. The presence of alkaline components neutralizes the acidic effect of the gaseous and particulate pollutants. The industrial activity in the Singrauli area has influenced the depositional characteristics by different cations and anions loading in the area. The loading, however, varied seasonally. Key words: Atmospheric Deposition, Dry and Wet Deposition, Air Pollution, Industrial pollution |
