Publications

Neelam, N; Rathee, RK; Mishra, SK (2024). Unraveling the nexus between crop residue burning and air quality in Haryana state, India. PADDY AND WATER ENVIRONMENT.

Abstract
Residue burning is a widespread agricultural practice with both beneficial and detrimental effects on the environment and human health. In this study, researcher investigates residue burning practices in a mixed-crop project area, focusing on the comparison between rice and wheat residues. The project area encompasses diverse agricultural landscapes, where rice and wheat are major staple crops. This research examines the frequency and extent of residue burning events for both rice and wheat crops over a multi-year period. Data on rice and wheat have been collected from relevant authorities for a comprehensive analysis. Further Satellite information (MODIS, AIRS, GEOS-CHEM, MERRA-2, and OMI) has been used to make the analysis for 12 year data (2010-2021) using ARCGIS and other statistical tools. The focus was on the emissions of major gases produced from residue burning. The gases considered in the analysis included Carbon dioxide (CO2), Carbon Mono-oxide (CO), Methane, (CH4), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Organic Carbon (OC), Particulate Matter (PM), Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) producing from residue burning was considered along with comparative change in Air Temperature, Relative Humidity and Wind speed. Results indicate a notable disparity between the incidence of rice and wheat residue burning, with rice exhibiting a higher frequency of burning events. Further, the multi-year time series of seasonally accumulated fire counts calculated by MODIS data across the 6 districts of Haryana State has revealed an upward trend in fire detections on an annual basis. This indicates that the incidence of fire events, likely associated with residue burning in croplands, has been increasing over the years. The season variation analyzed considering 6 months namely August, September, October, November, December and January showing a comparative higher gases emission due to rice residue burning. The higher occurrence of rice residue burning poses environmental challenges, including air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The increasing trend in fire detections linked to residue burning raises environmental concerns, warranting immediate attention for sustainable agricultural practices. Understanding the factors influencing residue burning practices is crucial for mitigating air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and safeguarding human health in the project area and beyond.

DOI:
10.1007/s10333-024-01002-7

ISSN:
1611-2504