| Author | Shrestha, Shyam |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. EV-94-26 |
| Subject(s) | Pollutants--Kathmandu Valley
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of
Engineering, School of Environment, Resources & Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | As visibility is directly related to air pollution, visibility data were analyzed for the period
of 1975-1993 in light of meteorological factors to detect the air quality trend in Kathmandu
Valley. It can be concluded that the visibility in Kathmandu Valley is deteriorating most likely
due to man made activities i.e air pollution emissions. Meteorological influence on annual
visibility trend are not paramount.
Detailed emission inventory as a function of time and space has also been made for
1992/93 to estimate the contribution of different sources on air quality deterioration in the valley.
Fuelwood/biomass combustion for Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) and Carbon monoxide
(CO), automobiles for Nitrogen Oxides (NOJ and Hydrocarbons (HC), and coal combustion in
brick and cement industries for Sulfur Dioxide (S02) are the major sources of emission.
Estimation of emission for past year (1984/85) and a future year (2002/03) were also made. It
shows that per capita emission of TSP is decreasing whereas Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Sulfur
Dioxide (S02) are increasing considerably.
Annual visibility trend shows strong negative correlation with air pollution emissions,
specially Sulfur Dioxide (S02) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOJ. Among the visibility reducing species,
sulfate and nitrate particle are expected to be the major contributor in the visibility change in the
valley and the particulate concentration in Kathmandu Valley might exceed WHO standard most
of the time in recent years. Much higher particulate concentration can be expected in urban
centers.
As the air quality of the valley is deteriorating rapidly, it is an urgent need to establish
emission regulations and control strategies. This study provides an input to the modelling work,
an important tool for air quality management, and source reduction strategies. Since actual
measurement of air pollution concentration are unavailable, this type of study is appropriate to
detect the air quality trend and to estimate sources contribution in most of the cities of the
developing countries. |
| Year | 1994 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Weihan, Su
|
| Examination Committee(s) | Reutergardh, Lars Bertil ;Shrestha, Ram M.
|
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Austria |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1994 |