| Author | Bhari, Bishal |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-15-04 |
| Subject(s) | Air--Pollution--Kathmandu Valley (Nepal)
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| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. EV-15-04 |
| Abstract | Roadside air pollution is one of the concerned areas in Kathmandu Valley because of potentially high levels and current lack of comprehensive studies. This research implemented monitoring for roadside air pollution along a moderately busy street (70000 vehicles/day) of Kathmandu valley of Koupondole/Pulchowk in 2014. The air pollution parameters monitored includes particulate matter (PM) of different size ranges and BTEX (Benzene, Toulene, Ethylbenzene and Xylenes) to provide diurnal fluctuations. The monitoring period covered two dry seasons, post monsoon (October-November) and winter (December-February) season. Monitoring period also covered a few days with the restricted traffic condition during the SAARC conference held from 24-28 Nov, when odd and even vehicle policy was implemented, hence was expected to provide important information on the effects of vehicular emission on the air pollution level. An OPS3330, calibrated with GRIM EDM 164, was used to monitor number concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 online while BTEX was sampled using charcoal tube with a sampling pump at both sides of the road and analyzed using a GC-FID. Pollution levels were monitored in three sampling points: one in the western side and two in the eastern side. Camera recording were done simultaneously with pollution monitoring to produce hourly flows of different vehicle types during the monitoring periods. The results showed that roadside PM2.5 and PM10 levels were high which exceeded the 24 h WHO guideline and respective Nepal Ambient Air Quality Standard. The average concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 were 61±19 μg/m³, 87±26 μg/m³ and 230±109 μg/m³, respectively and the average concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, m,p-xylenes and o-xylenes over the monitoring period were 89.4±30.6, 137.1±47.8, 30.7±11.1, 64.9±23.5 and 32.2±11.6 μg/m³, respectively. The highest levels of the pollutants were found for the winter monitoring period and lowest for the restricted traffic period. The difference was seen more for BTEX than PM. Among PM size ranges the most significant elevation in winter period was observed for PM10. The multivariate Principle Component Analysis was performed between the pollutants levels, meteorology and traffic volume to reveal the association between PM, BTEX, vehicle flow and meteorological parameters. The ratios between BTEX species were used to further confirm the linkage of pollutants with traffic source. The ozone formation potential was estimated and it was substantial for the observed levels of BTEX. The high levels of pollution measured in the street suggested a high potential of health risk for commuters and people living and working along the street. |
| Year | 2015 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Nguyen, Thi Kim Oanh; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Visvanathan, C. ;Dhakal, Shobhakar; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2015 |