Publications

Dutta, M; Chatterjee, A (2022). A deep insight into state-level aerosol pollution in India: Long-term (2005-2019) characteristics, source apportionment, and future projection (2023). ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT, 289, 119312.

Abstract
The present study provides a national scenario of aerosol pollution with the long-term (2005-2019) trend, source apportionment, and future scenario (2023) for each of the Indian states. We used MODIS AOD and FRP, differential AODs from MERRA-2, and trace gases (NO2, SO2) data from OMI. Almost all the states of IGP fall under the red zone ( highly vulnerable ; AOD > 0.5) whereas central, western, and a few south-Indian states fall under the orange zone ( vulnerable ; 0.4 < AOD > 0.5). The most alarming feature is that most of the southern Indian states exhibit a shift from blue/green (less vulnerable/safe; AOD < 0.4) to vulnerable zones in 2023 as observed using the auto-regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the coal-fired thermal power plant (TPP), vehicular, solid fuel/waste, and biomass burning are the major sources of aerosols for the vulnerable states at present and in the future. We estimated and proposed the TPP capacity (GW) that needs to be reduced to bring down the AOD to move the vulnerable zones to less vulnerable and safe zones. The present study would complement and strengthen the ongoing national missions to combat air pollution in India.

DOI:
10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119312

ISSN:
1873-2844