Atmospheric pollution: a case study of degrading urban air quality over Punjab, India.

This paper presents the results of a case study of urban air quality over a densely populated city Ludhiana situated in Punjab, India, in the form of monthly and annual average concentrations of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), NO2 and SO2 for the periods 1988-1989, 1994-1999 and 2001-2005 which is generally found to be increasing with time and thus requires immediate corrective measures lest the situation becomes totally uncontrollable. The present situation is as bad as in other metropolitan Indian cities, although it seems to have somewhat improved as indicated by the latest 2001-2005 data in comparison with the past 1988-1989 and 1994-1999 data, but much more still needs to be done. In addition to the industrial and vehicular pollution, the agricultural pollution due to the burning of wheat and rice straws by the farmers should also be checked because it also creates tremendous pollution in the atmosphere.

Biochemical parameters of plants as indicators of air pollution.

In the present study species like Mangifera indica, Linn., Cassia fistula, Linn., and Eucalyptus hybrid were exposed to different air pollution load for short duration (active biomonitoring). Variation in biochemical parameters like chlorophyll, protein, soluble sugar free amino acid, ascorbic acid, nitrate reductase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase in the leaves were found to be pollution load dependent. These variations can be used as indicators of air pollution for early diagnosis of stress or as a marker for physiological damage to trees prior to the onset of visible injury symptoms. Just by analyzing these biochemical indicators air quality can also be assessed.

Assessment of air pollution indices in opencast coal mining complex--an Indian case study.

India is world's third largest coal-producing country and to meet the future energy demand it will have to produce coal at a faster rate. The coal by opencast mining has been about 80% of the total production. This paper focuses on some of the key air pollution problems arising from increased use of opencast mining. It examines the utility of an Air Pollution Index (API) for tackling air pollution problems. A fact-finding survey was conducted to evaluate the status of air pollution due to opencast coal mining in Jharia Coalfield of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. The approach for the selection of air monitoring stations, its monitoring programme, data analysis and results are discussed. The Oak Ridge Air Quality Index (ORAQI) was used to evaluate the relative ranking of overall air quality different locations within the mining complex. The paper recommends the use of API data rather than individual air pollution level data when attempting to develop effective air pollution control strategies for mining areas.

Assessment of the impacts of vehicular pollution on urban air quality.

Air quality crisis in cities is mainly due to vehicular emissions. Owing to the expanding economic base Indian cities are growing at a faster rate. Transportation systems are increasing everywhere and the improved technology is insufficient to counteract growth. The effect of vehicular emission on urban air quality and human health has been described. A survey has been conducted in an Indian mega city to evaluate the status of air pollution at traffic intersections and the unique problem arising out of vehicular emissions in the study area has been narrated. Approach for the selection of the air monitoring stations, methodology adopted for data collection and the results have been discussed. Vulnerability analysis (VA) has been carried out to identify the zones at what pollution stress. Options for reducing mobile source emission have been discussed and a strategic air quality management plan has been proposed to mitigate the air pollution in the city.