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A study on vertical profiling of air pollutants and meteorological variables in Visakhapatnam, an Indian coastal urban environment

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Title: A study on vertical profiling of air pollutants and meteorological variables in Visakhapatnam, an Indian coastal urban environment
Authors: PRIYANKA PRIYADARSHINI NYAYAPATHI, SRINIVAS NAMUDURI, SURESH KUMAR KOLLI
Source: Journal of Agrometeorology, Vol 27, Iss 4 (2025)
Publisher Information: Association of agrometeorologists, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Agriculture
Subject Terms: Urban environment, Vertical distribution, Air quality monitoring, Air pollutants, Relative humidity, Temperature, Agriculture
Description: Air pollution in coastal urban environments is a complex interplay of emission sources and meteorological conditions, often inadequately captured by traditional horizontal monitoring. This study investigates the vertical distribution of major air pollutants PM2.5, PM10, SO₂, NO2, NO and CO across five high-rise multi-storey buildings in Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam, during summer and winter seasons. Over 30 days of continuous monitoring with a distinct vertical gradient, where noticeable variations were observed, particularly for particulate matter, with PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations decreasing by up to 10.2% and 15.4%, respectively, from ground to elevated levels. However, statistical data analysis and 3-D visualization of the relationship between the pollutants and the meteorological parameters revealed critical thresholds for temperature, relative humidity (RH), and height influencing pollutant stratification. 3D surface visualizations further emphasized RH's role in enhancing particulate concentrations via hygroscopic growth and suppressing vertical dispersion, besides the long-range transport of air mass could also contribute to the high concentration values of particulate matter. The findings highlight the utility of vertical monitoring using existing urban infrastructure and underscore its relevance in refining air quality management in coastal cities.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 0972-1665
2583-2980
Relation: https://journal.agrimetassociation.org/index.php/jam/article/view/3178; https://doaj.org/toc/0972-1665; https://doaj.org/toc/2583-2980
DOI: 10.54386/jam.v27i4.3178
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/55346b89ea784dbe8d4677a6e5394093
Accession Number: edsdoj.55346b89ea784dbe8d4677a6e5394093
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Description
Abstract:Air pollution in coastal urban environments is a complex interplay of emission sources and meteorological conditions, often inadequately captured by traditional horizontal monitoring. This study investigates the vertical distribution of major air pollutants PM2.5, PM10, SO₂, NO2, NO and CO across five high-rise multi-storey buildings in Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam, during summer and winter seasons. Over 30 days of continuous monitoring with a distinct vertical gradient, where noticeable variations were observed, particularly for particulate matter, with PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations decreasing by up to 10.2% and 15.4%, respectively, from ground to elevated levels. However, statistical data analysis and 3-D visualization of the relationship between the pollutants and the meteorological parameters revealed critical thresholds for temperature, relative humidity (RH), and height influencing pollutant stratification. 3D surface visualizations further emphasized RH's role in enhancing particulate concentrations via hygroscopic growth and suppressing vertical dispersion, besides the long-range transport of air mass could also contribute to the high concentration values of particulate matter. The findings highlight the utility of vertical monitoring using existing urban infrastructure and underscore its relevance in refining air quality management in coastal cities.
ISSN:09721665
25832980
DOI:10.54386/jam.v27i4.3178