Atmospheric aerosol characteristic studies at Pune and Thiruvananthapuram during INDOEX programme-1998

Total suspended particulates (TSP) and mass size distribution of aerosols w ere monitored by using a high-volume air sampler and a low-volume 9-stage A nderson sampler, respectively during March-April 1998 at Pune and during 5- 9 January 1998 at Thiruvananthapuram All these samples were extracted for w ater- and acid-soluble components using the standard extraction method. The water-soluble extracts were analysed for Ci, SO4, NO3, NH4, Na, K, Ca and Mg and acid-soluble extracts for Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni and Sb, The concentration of TSP varied from 67 to 185 mu g/m(3) with an average of 12 2 mu g/m(3) at Pune and from 35 to 73 mu g/m(3) with an average of 57 mu g/ m(3) at Thiruvananthapuram. The mass size distribution of aerosols showed b imodal distribution having one peak in coarse mode and the other in fine mo de at both the locations, The results of the study are presented here.