Prediction of NOX - GLC’S from Area Source Emissions Using Air Modeling of Ahmedabad city, India

Abstract

Air quality evolution by incorporating emission inventory and modeling tools is a decisive element
in pollution mitigation. The air dispersion modeling tools are used in the environmental impact assessments,
risk analysis, emergency planning, and source apportionment studies. Recent approach towards improving
the air quality of cities has led to the opening of wide varieties of mitigation measures and characterization of
sources along with understanding the dispersion patents of pollutants in urban area. In order to achieve this
various air dispersion models have been developed and used worldwide so far for different applications under
different scenarios. The use of Gaussian plume model for studying the advection and transport of pollutants
due to turbulent diffusion and advection by the wind is getting momentum. The city planners are
incorporating the dispersion studies of city in developing the master plan of city. In this study the AERMOD
(the American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model Improvement
Committee’s Dispersion Model,) is used to predict the ground level concentrations (GLC’s) of oxides of
nitrogen (NOx)- µg/m3 from area source emissions of different areas of Ahmedabad city. Source emission
inventory is prepared for all the areas under study incorporating emissions from Domestic (Slum), Domestic,
Hotels and restaurants, Bakeries, Crematorium, Open burning. The secondary data are collected from
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Office of Registrar general and respective associations. In the present
study 12 areas, two from each zone of Ahmedabad are selected. The maximum GLC of NOx obtained at
Naroda (143 µg/m3
) in the residential cum commercial area. The GLC at Mithakhali cross road,
Navrangpura, Mirzapur are exceeding the permissible limit