Assessment of suspended particulate matter and heavy metal analysis during Diwali festival at Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India

Diwali is an important festival in India, and a lot of firecracker bursting takes place in every part of the country during festive occasions. The short-term effect of firecrackers on ambient air quality was assessed by monitoring suspended particulate matter (SPM) and heavy metal analysis (iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni)) during the Diwali festival at the urban-industrial city of Raipur, India, from 3 to 11 November 2018. The daily average SPM concentrations were found to be about two times higher on 7 November (Diwali; 425.64 µg/m³) and 8 November (next day of Diwali; 417.92 µg/m³) compared with that on 3 November (pre-Diwali day; 247.56 µg/m³). Heavy metal analysis (iron, zinc, lead, manganese and nickel) was carried out using atomic absorption spectroscopy, and the same concentration trend in the order of iron > zinc > lead > manganese > nickel was found during day- and night-time. A significant increment in SPM and heavy metal concentrations was observed post-Diwali. Back-trajectory analysis revealed that the trajectories at surface level (50 and 1000 m above ground level) originated from local sources, showing local anthropogenic activities such as burning of firecrackers and industrial activities as a major pollution source. The wind rose diagram shows a higher SPM concentration when the wind was north-easterly. The present study reveals that pollution levels were considerably increased during Diwali and firecracker bursting played a major role by contributing to air pollution.