Publications

Sharma, BR; Kuttippurath, J; Patel, VK; Gopikrishnan, GS (2024). Regional sources of NH3, SO2 and CO in the Third Pole. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, 248, 118317.

Abstract
The Third Pole (TP) is a high mountain region in the world, and is well-known for its pristine environment, but recent development activities in the region have degraded its air quality. Here, we investigate the spatial and temporal changes of the air pollutants ammonia (NH3), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) in TP, and reveal their sources using satellite measurements and emission inventory. We observe a clear seasonal cycle of NH3 in TP, with high values in summer and low values in winter. The intense agriculture activities in the southern TP are the cause of high NH3 (6-8 x 1016 molec./cm2) there. Similarly, CO shows a distinct seasonal cycle with high values in spring in the southeast TP due to biomass burning. In addition, the eastern boundary of TP in the Sichuan and Qinghai provinces also show high values of CO (about 1.5 x 1018 mol/cm2), primarily owing to the industrial activities. There is no seasonal cycle found for SO2 distribution in TP, but relatively high values (8-10 mg/m2) are observed in its eastern boundary. The high-altitude pristine regions of inner TP are also getting polluted because of increased human activities in and around TP, as we estimate positive trends in CO (0.5-1.5 x 1016 mol/cm2/yr) there. In addition, positive trends are also found in NH3 (0.025 x 1016 molec./cm2/ yr) during 2008-2020 in most regions of TP and SO2 (about 0.25-0.75 mg/m2/yr) in the Sichuan and Qinghai region during 2000-2020. As revealed by the emission inventory, there are high anthropogenic emissions of NH3, SO2 and CO within TP. There are emissions of pollutants from energy sectors, oil and refinery, agriculture waste burning and manure management within TP. These anthropogenic activities accelerate the ongoing development in TP, but severely erode its environment.

DOI:
10.1016/j.envres.2024.118317

ISSN:
1096-0953