Air quality data generated over the years under the National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP) reveal that particulate matter concentrations are exceeding the standard permissible limits at many places, particularly in urban areas. Based on these data, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) identified more than 50 non-attainment cities and towns including 16 major cities, which recorded significantly higher levels of SPM & RSPM (PM₁₀). These cities have problem due to multiplicity and complexity of air polluting sources (e.g. industries, automobiles, generator sets, fuel burning, construction activities, etc) and even the background contribution of natural dust (crustal origin) cannot be ruled out particularly in the cities developed on alluvial plains having loose top soil. The recent "Auto Fuel Policy" document submitted to Govt. of India by Dr. Mashelkar Committee has identified the "knowledge gap" in the area of air pollution source apportionment.

With this background, air pollution source apportionment studies have been initiated in six major cities with participation of oil companies, leading research institutes, Central & State Pollution Control Boards and Ministry of Environment & Forests Government of India. The study objectives are:

• To profile baseline Ground Level Concentration (GLC) of air pollutants in different parts including source specific "hot spots" viz. Kerbsides, industrial zones, etc.
• To develop "Emission Factors" (EF) for different categories of pertinent sources with due consideration to local variance in fuel quality, technology, size and vintage of sources, control systems, etc. The factor shall cover both fugitive as well as tail pipe emissions.
• To inventorise the pollution loads from various sources for their spatial and temporal distribution in the cities covered under this project.
• To profile the source emission characteristics of different possible sources.
• To conduct source apportionment studies and prioritize the source categories for evolving mitigation strategies.
• To assess the impact of sources on ambient air quality under different management/interventions/control options and draw a roadmap of short term and long term measures as considered appropriate and cost effective to ensure "Cleaner air in urban areas".
  
  

Among all the criteria air pollutants, particulate matters (SPM and RSPM) have emerged as the most serious threat in almost all urban areas of India. High SPM concentrations are primarily irritants but do not have much relevance for direct health consequences if compared with its respirable fractions (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5). Due to this reason, the worldwide focus of monitoring is now increasingly being shifted to measurement of finer particles (PM _2.5 and even PM₁), which can penetrate the human respiratory systems. Therefore, since 2000 the focus on suspended particulate monitoring has shifted to PM₁₀ in India as well.

As we have some experience in PM₁₀ monitoring and our existing national standards for PM₁₀, the main focus of this study is on characterisation and apportionment of PM₁₀ with limited exercises on PM_2.5 to have a better understanding and correlation between these two fractions at source and receptor.

There are a large number of urban man-made / background sources of such a high particulate pollution including large, medium and small-scale industries, household fuel use for cooking and heating, refuse burning, vehicular emissions, re-suspended road dust, construction activities, agricultural activity, naturally occurring dust and trans-boundary migration from other regions, etc. The configuration of possible contributing sources in different cities does vary widely as different responsible sources emit particles of varying composition and sizes. However, small particles (10 microns and fine) affect public health much more than large particles.

On having completed the intended data collection, validation, interpretation of assimilated information, a detailed road map will be drawn considering all possible measures for air quality improvement. These measures will be classified into short and long term with due priority to low cost measures that gives maximum benefits.

• The cost- benefit analysis based on health impact would be beyond the scope of the present study. Therefore, it was agreed to consider ambient air quality standards (which are health based) as the upper thresholds.

• For comprehensive Health Impact Assessment and Benefits, a separate study if required can be initiated.

• For ranking of the various mitigation/intervention options on the different sources namely industrial, vehicular, fugitive, etc. the cost effective analysis shall be adequate.

Active and passive methods for BTX monitoring and analysis using conventional carbon-disulphide desorption and automated thermal desorption techniques followed by capillary Gas Chromatography – Flame Ionization Detector have been standardize, documented and sent to BIS for wide circulation among concerned institution and finalized by CHD-32 Committee for final printing. The sampling and analysis method for Particulate PAH using glass fiber filter and high volume samplers followed by capillary Gas Chromatography – Flame Ionization Detector have been standardize, documented and finally printed by BIS after wide circulation among concerned institution and approval by CHD-32 Committee.

CPCB Lucknow has taken up a challenging 3-year project on Groundwater remediation in Noraiakheda area of Kanpur in collaboration with ITRC Lucknow, NGRI, Hyderabad and IIT Kanpur.The 1^st year activities were completed with execution of all the identified works. Salient status of some of the specific activities is as following:

The entire study area was investigated for revealing subsurface hydro-geological characteristics. The study was carried-out using ground-resitivity meter based on schlumbergur arrangement of current and potential electrodes. The Resistivity variation as emerged-out of the study area and subsurface stratification are as below:

The project activities have received appreciation of Asian Development Bank–Philippines and The Blacksmith Institute New York USA.

The Environmental Policy for co-incineration of high calorific value hazardous waste in cement kilns was prepared by CPCB and discussed in Chairmen and Member Secretaries conference held on Feb 14-15, 2005. So far this has been a thrust area in India, while internationally high calorific value hazardous waste is being co-incinerated in Cement Kiln. At a high temperature of 1400°C the organic compounds are likely to be destroyed and non-combustible part of the residue is incorporated into the clinker in a practically irreversible manner. It also helps in energy saving.

Cement industries have expressed their interest in the matter and have come forward for co-incineration of high calorific value hazardous waste in cement kiln. Various proposals for co-incineration were considered which include used tyres, refinery sludge, paint sludge, ETP sludge generated from BASF India Ltd and monitoring protocol was developed. The first trial for co-incineration of ETP sludge of BASF India Ltd. was conducted at a cement plant at Gulbarga, Karnataka. Monitoring was conducted before trial run and after trial run to generate the background / reference data. The VOC, hydrocarbon, TOC, PAH, heavy metals were monitored besides the routine parameter i.e. particulate matter, SO₂, NOx, HCl, HF, CO. The dioxins and furans that are considered most important and critical parameters were also monitored. Most of the critical parameters were well within the prescribed standards for hazardous waste incinerator. The product i.e. clinker was also tested for leachability and heavy metals content as per BIS norms.

The second trial was undertaken at another cement plant at Kodinar, Gujarat for co-incineration of TDI tar waste which is the hazardous waste generated from Petrochemicals unit. The trial runs are being conducted under close supervision of a team comprising officials from CPCB, SPCB, GTZ, and NCB. The co-incineration of high calorific value hazardous waste could emerge as a cost-effective and environmentally compatible option.

The toxicity of the paper and pulp mill effluent is due to the presence of tannins, resins, synthetic dyes and lignin and its derivatives. White-rot fungi generally used to decolorise the pulp mill effluent require high glucose concentration to survive which is economically not feasible. An alternate to biological treatment with fungi is the electro-chemical methods where iron electrodes are used to separate the ligno-sulphonate waste. The effectiveness of this technique depends on the type of electrodes, construction of electro-coagulators and operating conditions. Thus, there is a need for alternative low – cost technology.

The present study is aimed at the removal of toxic & coloring substances present in paper mill effluent before going to biological treatment using selective chemical coagulants/oxidants. Experimental work completed is as below

Re-suspension of dust in industrial area and fugitive and stack emission are mainly responsible for high level of contaminants in the ambient air of the local environment. This dust may contain toxic chemical substances. A study is being carried out to characterize the emission from source and dust forms different sources (road dust, soil, mining waste etc.). The average metal concentrations of dust/ ash from different sources are shown below.

Average concentration (mg/Kg) of metals in dust/ash collected from different sources

Results revealed that level of Zinc, Magnesium and Potassium (178, 3502 and 8447 mg/kg respectively) was significantly higher in ash collected from rice mill. Nickel was found to be higher in roadside dust of Ranigunj (Durgapur), but the rest of the metals were higher in dust of ESP in comparison with agricultural soils of a remote Dhubulia Village (Durgapur). Metallic concentrations were also found on the higher side in ambient air with respect to rural areas (Canning). Analysis of PAH, PCBs, texture etc. are in progress. Further characterization of inorganic and organic composition would be carried to correlate these values with the values of source emission. The raw data indicates that the some of the metals are extremely variable. Further analysis of more parameters would reveal the distribution pattern of different contaminants of the dust and in other sources pollutants and their impact on ambient air quality.

The study of aerosol composition with respect to metals, ions and PAHs during Diwali covering city, urban and rural areas would be very useful to assess the impact of the above activities on environment with reference to specific pollutants. Considering the above facts, Zonal Office Kolkata has conducted a study to quantify the concentration of RSPM, SO₂, NO₂, metals and PAH in ambient air in Kolkata (metro city), Asansol (urban) and Moutorh (village) in West Bengal and to assess the impact of bursting crackers on the environment.

The analytical results shown in Table below revealed that the prevailing concentration of different PAH compounds at different stations in Kolkata, Canning and Moutorh during Diwali . The maximum concentration was observed at Moutorh, followed by Kolkata and then Canning (Moutorh>Kolkata>Canning) except in case of low molecular weight PAH compounds, viz. Napthalene, Phenanthrene and Anthracene. The changes of the above trend of these compounds may be due to loss during sampling and transportation of sample filter papers from monitoring sites to laboratory as these are highly volatile. At Moutorh though considered as rural area, PAH concentration was significantly higher than that of other areas because monitoring station was located in the midpoint of Diwali mela where different activities such as mass gathering, coal burning, vehicle movement etc. were going on. Mainly coal burning caused the enhancement of PAH concentration.

At different stations within Kolkata, maximum concentration was found at Behala followed by JD Park, then Kumir Pukur. Only in the case of Napthalene the trend becomes as Behala>Kumir Pukur >JD Park. The reason may be that in Behala the station is located at the busiest traffic intersection compared to the other stations.

The data were processed to estimate the correlation coefficients among the eleven identified and quantified PAH compounds and RSPM at sampling locations. However, several significant correlationships in the group of individual PAH compounds were observed attributing linear proportionality between them such as significant positive correlationship among fluoranthene, pyrene and chrysene particularly in organised fairs also at few other stations. As reported by different authors, domestic and residential heating specially coal burning is a major source of these three compounds and simultaneously significant correlation ships among them support this view. It is also reported by some authors that these three compounds are also emitted during incineration and industrial oil burning. Literature study shows that fluoranthene and pyrene along with benzo(a)pyrene are together emitted from traffic motor vehicles i.e. from diesel and petrol burning. Positive correlationship among them satisfies the views of referred document. Significant correlationship between fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene as well as benzo(e)pyrene support the view that the major contributor of these three PAH compounds is burning of wood. There are also some significant correlation found between fluoranthene and benzo(ghi)perylene, pyrene &benzo(a)pyrene, pyrene &benzo(e)pyrene, di benzo(ah)anthracene and pyrene & benzo (ghi) perylene. Significant correlation among several PAH compounds indicates that they release from sources together. In Kolkata fluoranthene is significantly correlated with phenanthrene, pyrene, B[e]P, B[a]P while pyrene is correlated with Benz Anth, B[e]P, B[a]P, DBA, B[ghi]Pe. A strong correlation ship was found among B[e]P, B[a]P, DBA and B[ghi]Pe also. This positive correlation ship indicates that they are emitted from same source. Literature survey reveals that all these correlated compounds are emitted together from diesel burning, petrol burning, incineration and coal burning. The above findings may support that major portion of PAHs concentration in ambient air of Kolkata is contributed by diesel & petrol burning (vehicle emission) and incineration etc.

The analytical results of metallic concentration of RSPM at different areas revealed that concentration of metals in general, was found lowest at Canning and in the order of Canning < Asansol <Moutorh <Kolkata. Canning is far away from any industrial towns and also traffic volume nearby the sampling points was significantly low. Almost same concentrations of metals prevailed both at Asansol and Moutorh though Asansol is a subdivisional town and Moutorh is a rural area. Presence of iron and aluminium at both places indicate the impact of sponge iron and steel plants (TISCO close to sampling station in Asansol). Sponge irons and thermal power plants are located about 15 km away from Moutorh. On normalisation of metal concentrations with RSPM, almost same trend prevails. The concentrations of metals observed at different stations within Kolkata were more or less uniform all over the city. Eventhough concentration of the 12 selected metals were relatively on the lower side, no appreciable impact of the activities going on during Diwali was observed except slight increment of aluminium compared to the values obtained during winter.

Ionic concentrations of RSPM at four different areas shown in Table below revealed the distribution pattern of ions (m g/m³) among the four areas.

From the above discussion it may be inferred that activities particularly during Diwali influence the concentration of PAH and ions on ambient air quality.

PAH Monitoring has been done at HINDALCO, Renukoot at six locations i.e. Center Passage Pot Line-IX, Center Passage Pot Line-II, Roof Top Pot Line-III, Roof Top D.S.S. Pot Line- VII, Anode Baking F/C # 5, Anode Baking F/C # 3. Total PAH ranged between 21.19 to 552.04 ng/m³. Benzo[e]pyrene and Benzo[a]pyrene, Benzo[ghi]perylene are found with a high concentration followed by Chrysene and Benzo[b]fluoranthene. Naphthalene to Pyrene have lower concentration at Center Passage and Roof Top while at Anode Baking it is higher (12.01-29.97 ng/m³). The average concentration range at different unit is given below.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is the most important and commonly used parameter in water and wastewater quality monitoring and designing of effluent treatment plant. The test take considerable time, say 3 days at 27^o C or 5 days at 20^o C as well as consumes lot of energy. To overcome these constraints, attempts were made to carry out the test in short time through the technique using Biosensor probes. This technique involves selection of suitable microbial composition for using Biosensor so as to degrade the wide range of wastes. In this endeavor, CPCB in collaboration with Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB), CSIR, Delhi has developed a Biosensor for rapid BOD test. Samples from brewery and dairy (untreated and treated) were tested extensively and the results obtained using BOD Biosensor are similar to conventional BOD test (BOD₅ at 20^oC). The data are statistically tested and good correlation was found between these two results.

Further, it was analyzed by Students `t’ test and found that there is no significant difference between two data sets of dairy and breweries samples. The work is in progress for extensive testing using large variety of wastewater samples.

The mobility of inorganic and organic pollutants in soil is strongly influenced by organic matter, such as humic acid, fulvic acid etc. Fulvic acid readily complexes with metals including minerals making them available to plant roots and easily absorbable through cell wall. In east Kolkata wetlands different types of pollutants particularly metals may be accumulated in soil through dumping of solid waste since long. The fulvic acid in the presence of metals may form metal chelate, which in turn increase the metal ions in solution in far excess of their expected dissolution ability in normal waters. Considering the above fact study was undertaken to assess the bio available fraction of metals in soil. Preliminary results indicated wide variation of metal concentrations at different locations as well as among the soil horizon. Cation exchange capacity of the soil was found far in excess of natural soil. Based on the available data it may be established that fulvic acid enhances the availability of metals and make them more readily available for absorption by plants and chemical reactions.