Publications

Parambil, LP; Kumar, VA; Vijayakumar, K; Basheer, AI; Sravanthi, N; Patil, RD; Pandithurai, G (2023). Aerosol-CCN characteristics and dynamics associated with a pre-monsoon dust storm over a high-altitude site in Western Ghats, India. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH, 30(50), 109372-109388.

Abstract
Aerosol-CCN characteristics and dynamics during a pre-monsoon dust storm (April 6-11, 2015) over a high-altitude site ((17.92 degrees N, 73.66 degrees E, and 1348 m above mean sea level (MSL)) in Western Ghats, India, has been studied using ground-based observations, satellite, and reanalysis datasets. Spatial distribution of dust surface mass concentration along with the back trajectory analysis showed the Arabian Desert area (Rub-Al-khali desert) as the source region and strong westerly winds transported the dust particles toward the Indian subcontinent. High values noticed in the surface PM10 (PM2.5), i.e., similar to 450 (similar to 130) mu g m(-3), MODIS AOD(550nm) (0.6), and MERRA 2 dust surface mass concentration (5 x 10(-7) kg m(-3)) along MODIS true color images confirmed the dust storm event on April 6, 2015 over the observational site. Size-segregated aerosol number concentration measured from ground-based observations showed the dominance of Aitken, accumulation, and coarse mode particles during dust period. CCN concentrations at 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9% SS were analyzed. A low value of CCN concentration and activation fraction (similar to 0.3) near surface was noticed during dust storm day, suggesting insoluble mineral dust particle being transported. Analyzed vertical velocity during pre-dust period showed downdraft between 900 and 750 hPa, suggesting dust transport from upper altitudes toward the observational site. WRF-Chem model simulation also captured the dust storm event, and the results are in good agreement with the observation with a significance of 95% confidence level.

DOI:
10.1007/s11356-023-30025-6

ISSN:
1614-7499