Atmospheric Emission of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Tamil Nadu India Sources Seasonal Variation and Implications for Atmospheric Transport

Abstract

Atmospheric emission of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) pertaining to solid/hazardous waste mismanagement engendered emerging hotspots in Indian metropolis. Banned and regulated under Stockholm convention, PCBs are group of persistent, semi-volatile, bio-accumulative and toxic pollutants. While the abatement plan in India focusses on environmentally safe disposal of imported stockpiles, evidences pointed unintentional emissions are the major cause of escalating atmospheric PCBs. Nescience lies in nature of sources, impact of hotspots on antinodes and effect of prevailing temperature in a territory possessing diverse land use features. Hence, this thesis aims to address spatial and seasonal variation, contributing sources and transport of atmospheric PCBs and impending health risk in tropical state of Tamil Nadu and subtropical city of Agra in southern and northern India respectively newline