Real-time characterization and source apportionment of fine particulate matter in the Delhi megacity area during late winter

National Capital Region (NCR) encompassing New Delhi is one of the most polluted urban metropolitan areas in the world. Real-time chemical characterization of fine particulate matter (PM1 and PM2.5) was carried out using three aerosol mass spectrometers, two aethalometers, and one single particle soot photometer (SP2) at two sites in Delhi (urban) and one site located ~40 km downwind of Delhi, during January–March 2018. The campaign mean PM2.5 (NR-PM2.5 + BC) concentrations at the two urban sites were 153.8 ± 109.4 μg.m−3 and 127.8 ± 83.2 μg.m−3, respectively, whereas PM1 (NR-PM1 + BC) was 72.3 ± 44.0 μg.m−3 at the downwind site. PM2.5 particles were composed mostly of organics (43–44)% followed by chloride (14–17)%, ammonium (9–11)%, nitrate (9%), sulfate (8–10)%, and black carbon (11–16)%, whereas PM1 particles were composed of 47% organics, 13% sulfate as well as ammonium, 11% nitrate as well as chloride, and 5% black carbon. Organic aerosol (OA) source apportionment was done using positive matrix factorization (PMF), solved using an advanced multi-linear engine (ME-2) model. Highly mass-resolved OA mass spectra at one urban and downwind site were factorized into three primary organic aerosol (POA) factors including one traffic-related and two solid-fuel combustion (SFC), and three oxidized OA (OOA) factors. Whereas unit mass resolution OA at the other urban site was factorized into two POA factors related to traffic and SFC, and one OOA factor. OOA constituted a majority of the total OA mass (45–55)% with maximum contribution during afternoon hours ~(70–80)%. Significant differences in the absolute OOA concentration between the two urban sites indicated the influence of local emissions on the oxidized OA formation. Similar PM chemical composition, diurnal and temporal variations at the three sites suggest similar type of sources affecting the particulate pollution in Delhi and adjoining cities, but variability in mass concentration suggest more local influence than regional. [Display omitted] •Fine particulate matter (PM) characterization using AMS at three sites in Delhi•Organic aerosol source apportionment using multi-linear engine (ME-2)•Temporal trends and composition of fine PM species in Delhi megacity•Similar PM characteristics between sites suggest similar sources of PM.