Source prioritization for urban particulate emission control in India based on an inventory of PM10 and its carbonaceous fraction in six cities

• Carbonaceous particulates are linked to adverse health impact and global warming
• Elemental carbon (EC), Organic carbon (OC) and Total carbon (TC) inventory for six Indian cities
• TC emission in Delhi, the Capital city: ~28.8 TPD
• Diesel vehicles, power plants and paved road dust among prominent sources.
• Primary EC/OC in PM emissions <0.33 in six-cities

Particulate matter (PM) is a major air quality concern in Indian cities. Besides health risks, it is associated with climate change impacts. The nature and extent of these impacts depend on the chemical composition of PM. The carbonaceous fraction is especially linked to adverse health impacts and possible global warming. PM10 inventory and source emission profiles were used to estimate elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC) and total carbon (TC) emissions in six Indian cities. Thirty source groups were considered. TC emissions in the cities of Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kanpur, Mumbai and Pune are ~20.5, 2.4, 28.8, 3.3, 16.7 and 6.7 TPD, respectively. EC emissions in Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai and Pune are 7577, 6436, 2737 and 1662 kg day−1, respectively. In Chennai (371 kg day−1) and Kanpur (600 kg day−1), these are comparatively low. Vehicles, road dust and cooking using solid fuel are the key urban sources. Within the vehicle group, heavy duty diesel vehicles are the largest contributors. EC, mostly in the fine size mode, can have larger health implications. Diesel particulates are known to be carcinogenic and also have high EC to OC ratio that signifies their global warming potential. PM emission control from the identified urban sources will offer the twin benefits of reducing health risks and global warming.