Monitoring of Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, PM10 and TSP Present in the Ambient Air of NIT Rourkela

Abstract

The project investigates the concentration of the pollutants sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter (PM10) and total suspended particulate (TSP) generated from various sources like automobiles, industries over the ambient air quality of the NIT Rourkela campus. As such Rourkela is a big city and it is not possible to measure the concentration of these major pollutants in all areas, so we have restricted our study to our institute campus. The major pollutants as suggested by the Central pollution control board (CPCB) in an industrial area are sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen (NOX) , particulate matter (PM10) and total suspended particulate (TSP) .

The rate of emission and concentration of these gases in the ambient air is studied by the following laboratory methods – (a) Modified West and Gaeke method for determination of sulphur dioxide in ambient air, (b) Modified Jacob and Hochheiser method for determination of nitrogen oxides in ambient air, (c) High volume method for determination of TSP in the ambient air, (d) Cyclonic flow technique for the measurement of PM10. The results will show the concentration of emissions of the above cited gaseous and suspended solid pollutants and will be compared with the permissible concentrations as per the standards given by CPCB for an industrial area and major precautions can be taken to reduce the concentration level of these pollutants