Source Apportionment
CAPS has undertaken a source-apportionment study in Bengaluru to quantify pollutant sources and provide the necessary scientific evidence for informed policymaking. Under this study, CAPS will conduct chemical characterisation of collected samples (over three seasons) and run the receptor model to quantify the pollutant sources. Some of the objectives of the study are as follows:
- Understanding various air pollutants, their ambient concentrations, and air-toxicity levels in different parts of the city
- Quantifying sectoral contribution to air pollution by performing chemical analyses of the samples and conducting receptor modelling of the analysed samples
- Assessing the impact of sources on ambient air quality under different management, intervention, and control options with the help of an emission inventory and dispersion modelling
- Preparing a roadmap for short-term and long-term measures, as considered appropriate and cost-effective
Emission Inventory
CAPS is developing an emissions inventory for Bengaluru by estimating the emissions load from different sectors contributing to air pollution and analysing the spatio-temporal distribution of the emissions load. The emission inventory will estimate emissions from various sources in the airshed area of Bengaluru (60 km X 60 km).
The study has the following key objectives:
- Identification of pollution sources and various corresponding activities for every source in Bengaluru
- Determination of the sectoral emissions load share
- Grid-wise (1 km x 1 km grid) distribution of the emissions load over Bengaluru
Air Quality Monitoring
CAPS will conduct measurement exercises (static as well as mobile) to collect data on air-quality levels across the city. Mobile measurement helps bridge data gaps in areas which do not have monitoring stations. Instruments such as a DustTrak, Aethalometer, and Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) will be used. Regulatory-grade instruments will be used for static measurements. CAPS will also test low-cost sensors for air-quality measurement.
Centre for Air Pollution Studies – Laboratory
The Centre for Air Pollution Studies (CAPS) established a state-of-the-art air pollution monitoring laboratory at the CSTEP office, Bengaluru, in May 2019. The laboratory monitors various particulate and gaseous pollutants. Among particulate pollutants, PM2.5, a criteria air pollutant, is measured through a beta attenuation monitor (BAM) and real-time black carbon (BC) is measured through a seven-channel Aethalometer. In gaseous pollutants, the surface ozone is monitored through an ozone monitor. Also, continuous measurement of various meteorological parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and rainfall is carried out in the laboratory.
Apart from the stationary monitors, the laboratory is equipped with portable instruments such as the DustTrak for measuring particulate mass in various size fractions, microAeth for measuring BC, and condensation particle counter for measuring particle number concentration. These instruments are used for mobile monitoring exercises.
Low-cost sensors such as PurpleAir and Atmos were used for measuring ambient PM2.5 levels. Prior to the monitoring activity, the calibration of low-cost sensors was carried out by co-locating the sensors with BAM, a reference-grade monitor. Moreover, as part of the capacity-building exercise, training programmes for students have been organised to enhance knowledge and skill in handling air pollution monitoring instruments.
