Ambient Air Quality Assessment through Air Quality Index and Air Quality Health Index for Eastern Coastal Region, Gandhidham, Gujarat, India

The impact of coastal developmental projects such as ports on regional air quality has been a matter of concern, as they are known to induce rapid industrialization and urbanization as collateral development on a long-term basis. Gandhidham-Kachchh, Gujarat, India is hub for industrialization, thus various developmental activities and port activities may release toxic gases into the environment. Thus, an attempt was made to assess the present ambient air quality in and around eastern coastal region of Gandhidham, Gujarat using Air Quality Index (AQI) and Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). The primary focus was on respirable particulate matter (PM10) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) along with other gaseous pollutants. In total 134 samples were collected from 11 stations during January to December 2018. Sampling was carried out 24 hourly on a monthly basis. Respirable particulate matter (PM10), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide ranged from 29-401 µg/m3, 13-184 µg/m3, 5.9-92.6 µg/m3and 3.7-33 µg/m3, respectively. The annual mean concentrations varied from 118-227 µg/m3, 47-82 µg/m3, 10-51 µg/m3, 11-41 µg/m3 for PM10, PM2.5, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, respectively. In most of the sampling locations both the particulate matter fractions exceeded the permissible limit as prescribed in National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The AQI ranged from 28 to 106, which falls under Good and Satisfactory category of pollution as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards except at A-11 which falls under Moderate category. The AQHI was in the range of 5.9 to 15.8, which was alarming indicating Moderate to Very Higher Risk to the people. The present findings throw light on the prevailing scenario in the ambient air quality of the studied region, thereby suggesting for strict implementation and thorough control measures for reduction of particulate matters in the air.