An evaluation of the sources of air pollution in the city of Chandigarh, India: A study using EDXRF technique

The elemental composition of aerosol samples, collected from July 1994 to January 1995, in the city of Chandigarh, India was determined using EDXRF technique. The elemental concentration levels are generally found to be higher by a factor of 2–5 in the winter season as compared to the rainy season. The receptor model, employing the multivariate statistical techniques was applied to the acquired data set of elemental concentrations in order to assess the impact of relevant sources at the sampling site. Possible sources identified from this analysis are soil dust, refuse burning, field burning, exhaust from automobiles and smelter activity.