Wheat Cultivar Growth, Biochemical, Physiological and Yield Attributes Response to Combined Exposure to Tropospheric Ozone, Particulate Matter Deposition and Ascorbic Acid Application.

In the present study wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivar HD 2967 was exposed to ambient and elevated levels of O3 and PM deposition, with and without exogenous application of ascorbic acid (AA). Cultivar HD 2967 exposed to eight treatments in free air O3 enrichment facility and the assessed results showed that wheat cultivar, growth, biochemical, physiological and yield attributes were variably but adversely affected by combined exposure to O3 and PM deposition. PM deposition clogged stomata and enhanced leaf temperature. However, plants exposed to O3 and PM deposition and treated with AA exhibited less reduction in yield as compared to plants exposed to O3 and PM deposition without AA treatment. The decline in grain yield of HD 2967 due to combined exposure of O3 and PM deposition were in the range of 4%-17%. AA spray partially mitigated ozone and PM deposition adverse impact and enhanced wheat yield by 16%.

Black carbon over a central Himalayan Glacier (Satopanth): Pathways and direct radiative impacts.

Continuous measurement of Black Carbon (BC) concentration was carried out during May-October 2018 periods over Satopanth Glacier in the central Himalayas. BC concentrations varied between 28 and 287 ngm-3 on different days during the observational period. High concentration of BC was observed in the month of May (monthly mean of 221 ± 79 ngm-3), and a lower concentration was observed in August (monthly mean of 92 ± 58 ngm-3). Biomass burning was found to contribute up to 58% of BC mass over the region, with lower contribution during June and higher during the month of May. Compensation parameter (K) values were found to vary between -0.005 and 0.005 in different months, asserting the presence of aged BC in June to October months and relatively fresh BC in the month of May. Concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis showed that the air mass from Indo Gangetic Plains (IGP) was responsible for the majority of transported BC in July & August months (up to 65%) and partially in September (up to 40%). However, the transport from Middle East and far north-western regions was found to be the major contributor to BC concentrations in other months. The estimated BC direct radiative forcing was found to induce 4.5 to 7.6 Wm-2 reduction of radiation at the surface (SFC) and the forcing was +2.3 to +3.5 Wm-2 at the Top of the Atmosphere (TOA). The BC induced atmospheric heating rates were found to be up to 0.35 k day-1 over the region. The sensitivity of snow albedo to radiative forcing was studied, and it is found that BC albedo changes tend to decrease albedo with an increase in BC-snow deposition, leading to a decrease in atmospheric absorption.

Tethered balloon-born and ground-based measurements of black carbon and particulate profiles within the lower troposphere during the foggy period in Delhi, India.

The ground and vertical profiles of particulate matter (PM) were mapped as part of a pilot study using a Tethered balloon within the lower troposphere (1000m) during the foggy episodes in the winter season of 2015-16 in New Delhi, India. Measurements of black carbon (BC) aerosol and PM <2.5 and 10µm (PM2.5 & PM10 respectively) concentrations and their associated particulate optical properties along with meteorological parameters were made. The mean concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, BC370nm, and BC880nm were observed to be 146.8±42.1, 245.4±65.4, 30.3±12.2, and 24.1±10.3µgm-3, respectively. The mean value of PM2.5 was ~12 times higher than the annual US-EPA air quality standard. The fraction of BC in PM2.5 that contributed to absorption in the shorter visible wavelengths (BC370nm) was ~21%. Compared to clear days, the ground level mass concentrations of PM2.5 and BC370nm particles were substantially increased (59% and 24%, respectively) during the foggy episode. The aerosol light extinction coefficient (σext) value was much higher (mean: 610Mm-1) during the lower visibility (foggy) condition. Higher concentrations of PM2.5 (89µgm-3) and longer visible wavelength absorbing BC880nm (25.7µgm-3) particles were observed up to 200m. The BC880nm and PM2.5 aerosol concentrations near boundary layer (1km) were significantly higher (~1.9 and 12µgm-3), respectively. The BC (i.e BCtot) aerosol direct radiative forcing (DRF) values were estimated at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), surface (SFC), and atmosphere (ATM) and its resultant forcing were - 75.5Wm-2 at SFC indicating the cooling effect at the surface. A positive value (20.9Wm-2) of BC aerosol DRF at TOA indicated the warming effect at the top of the atmosphere over the study region. The net DRF value due to BC aerosol was positive (96.4Wm-2) indicating a net warming effect in the atmosphere. The contribution of fossil and biomass fuels to the observed BC aerosol DRF values was ~78% and ~22%, respectively. The higher mean atmospheric heating rate (2.71Kday-1) by BC aerosol in the winter season would probably strengthen the temperature inversion leading to poor dispersion and affecting the formation of clouds. Serious detrimental impacts on regional climate due to the high concentrations of BC and PM (especially PM2.5) aerosol are likely based on this study and suggest the need for immediate, stringent measures to improve the regional air quality in the northern India.

Carbonaceous aerosols and pollutants over Delhi urban environment: Temporal evolution, source apportionment and radiative forcing.

Particulate matter (PM2.5) samples were collected over Delhi, India during January to December 2012 and analysed for carbonaceous aerosols and inorganic ions (SO4(2-) and NO3(-)) in order to examine variations in atmospheric chemistry, combustion sources and influence of long-range transport. The PM2.5 samples are measured (offline) via medium volume air samplers and analysed gravimetrically for carbonaceous (organic carbon, OC; elemental carbon, EC) aerosols and inorganic ions (SO4(2-) and NO3(-)). Furthermore, continuous (online) measurements of PM2.5 (via Beta-attenuation analyser), black carbon (BC) mass concentration (via Magee scientific Aethalometer) and carbon monoxide (via CO-analyser) are carried out. PM2.5 (online) range from 18.2 to 500.6µgm(-3) (annual mean of 124.6±87.9µgm(-3)) exhibiting higher night-time (129.4µgm(-3)) than daytime (103.8µgm(-3)) concentrations. The online concentrations are 38% and 28% lower than the offline during night and day, respectively. In general, larger night-time concentrations are found for the BC, OC, NO3(-)and SO4(2-), which are seasonally dependent with larger differences during late post-monsoon and winter. The high correlation (R(2)=0.74) between OC and EC along with the OC/EC of 7.09 (day time) and 4.55 (night-time), suggest significant influence of biomass-burning emissions (burning of wood and agricultural waste) as well as secondary organic aerosol formation during daytime. Concentrated weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis reveals that the potential sources for the carbonaceous aerosols and pollutants are local emissions within the urban environment and transported smoke from agricultural burning in northwest India during post-monsoon. BC radiative forcing estimates result in very high atmospheric heating rates (~1.8-2.0Kday(-1)) due to agricultural burning effects during the 2012 post-monsoon season.

Study of the carbonaceous aerosol and morphological analysis of fine particles along with their mixing state in Delhi, India: a case study.

Because of high emissions of anthropogenic as well as natural particles over the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), it is important to study the characteristics of fine (PM2.5) and inhalable particles (PM10), including their morphology, physical and chemical characteristics, etc., in Delhi during winter 2013. The mean mass concentrations of fine (PM2.5) and inhalable (PM10) (continuous) was 117.6 ± 79.1 and 191.0 ± 127.6 µg m(-3), respectively, whereas the coarse mode (PM10-2.5) particle PM mass was 73.38 ± 28.5 µg m(-3). During the same period, offline gravimetric monitoring of PM2.5 was conducted for morphological analysis, and its concentration was ~37 % higher compared to the continuous measurement. Carbonaceous PM such as organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) were analyzed on the collected filters, and their mean concentration was respectively 33.8 and 4.0 µg m(-3) during the daytime, while at night it was 41.2 and 10.1 µg m(-3), respectively. The average OC/EC ratio was 8.97 and 3.96 during the day and night, respectively, indicating the formation of secondary organic aerosols during daytime. Effective carbon ratio was studied to see the effect of aerosols on climate, and its mean value was 0.52 and 1.79 during night and day, indicating the dominance of absorbing and scattering types of aerosols respectively into the atmosphere over the study region. Elemental analysis of individual particles indicates that Si is the most abundant element (~37-90 %), followed by O (oxide) and Al. Circularity and aspect ratio was studied, which indicates that particles are not perfectly spherical and not elongated in any direction. Trajectory analysis indicated that in the months of February and March, air masses appear to be transported from the Middle Eastern part along with neighboring countries and over Thar Desert region, while in January it was from the northeast direction which resulted in high concentrations of fine particles.

Aerosol characteristics at a rural station in southern peninsular India during CAIPEEX-IGOC: physical and chemical properties.

To understand the boundary layer characteristics and pathways of aerosol-cloud interaction, an Integrated Ground Observational Campaign, concurrent with Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment, was conducted by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, under Ministry of Earth Sciences at Mahabubnagar (a rural environment, which is ~100 km away from an urban city Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh), during the period of July-November 2011. Collected samples of PM2.5 and PM10 were analyzed for water-soluble ionic species along with organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC). During study period, the average mass concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were about 50(±10) and 69(±14) µg m(-3), respectively, which are significantly higher than the prescribed Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards values. The chemical species such as sum of anions and cations from measured chemical constituents were contributed to be 31.27 and 38.49% in PM2.5 and 6.35 and 5.65% to the PM10, whereas carbonaceous species contributed ~17.3 and 20.47% for OC and ~3.0 and 3.10% for EC, respectively. The average ratio of PM2.5/PM10 during study period was ~0.73(±0.2), indicating that the dominance of fine size particles. Carbonaceous analysis results showed that the average concentration of OC was 14 and 8.7 µg m(-3), while EC was 2.1 and 1.5 µg m(-3) for PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. The ratios between OC and EC were estimated, which were 6.6 and 5.7 for PM10 and PM2.5, suggesting the presence of secondary organic aerosol. Total carbonaceous aerosol accounts 23% of PM10 in which the contribution of OC is 20% and EC is 3%, while 20% of PM2.5 mass in which the contribution of OC is 17% and EC is 3%. Out of the total aerosols mass, water-soluble constituents contributed an average of 45% in PM10 and 38% in PM2.5 including about 39% anions and 6% cations in PM10, while 31% anions and 7% cations in PM2.5 aerosol mass collectively at study site.

Determination of wood burning and fossil fuel contribution of black carbon at Delhi, India using aerosol light absorption technique.

A comprehensive measurement program of effective black carbon (eBC), fine particle (PM2.5), and carbon monoxide (CO) was undertaken during 1 December 2011 to 31 March 2012 (winter period) in Delhi, India. The mean mass concentrations of eBC, PM2.5, and CO were recorded as 12.1 ± 8.7 µg/m(3), 182.75 ± 114.5 µg/m(3), and 3.41 ± 1.6 ppm, respectively, during the study period. Also, the absorption Angstrom exponent (AAE) was estimated from eBC and varied from 0.38 to 1.29 with a mean value of 1.09 ± 0.11. The frequency of occurrence of AAE was ~17 % less than unity whereas ~83 % greater than unity was observed during the winter period in Delhi. The mass concentrations of eBC were found to be higher by ~34 % of the average value of eBC (12.1 µg/m(3)) during the study period. Sources of eBC were estimated, and they were ~94 % from fossil fuel (eBCff) combustion whereas only 6 % was from wood burning (eBCwb). The ratio between eBCff and eBCwb was 15, which indicates a higher impact from fossil fuels compared to biomass burning. When comparing eBCff during day and night, a factor of three higher concentrations was observed in nighttime than daytime, and it is due to combustion of fossil fuel (diesel vehicle emission) and shallow boundary layer conditions. The contribution of eBCwb in eBC was higher between 1800 and 2100 hours due to burning of wood/biomass. A significant correlation between eBC and PM2.5 (r = 0.78) and eBC and CO (r = 0.46) indicates the similarity in location sources. The mass concentration of eBC was highest (23.4 µg/m(3)) during the month of December when the mean visibility (VIS) was lowest (1.31 km). Regression analysis among wind speed (WS), VIS, soot particles, and CO was studied, and significant negative relationships were seen between VIS and eBC (-0.65), eBCff (-0.66), eBCwb (-0.34), and CO (-0.65); however, between WS and eBC (-0.68), eBCff (-0.67), eBCwb (-0.28), and CO (-0.53). The regression analysis indicated that emission of soot particles may be localized to fossil fuel combustion, whereas wood/biomass burning emission of black carbon is due to transportation from farther distances. Regression analysis between eBCff and CO (r = 0.44) indicated a similar source as vehicular emissions. The very high loading of PM2.5 along with eBC over Delhi suggests that urgent action is needed to mitigate the emissions of carbonaceous aerosol in the northern part of India.

Characterization of carbonaceous aerosols over Delhi in Ganga basin: seasonal variability and possible sources.

The mass concentration of carbonaceous species, organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC) using a semicontinuous thermo-optical EC-OC analyzer, and black carbon (BC) using an Aethalometer were measured simultaneously at an urban mega city Delhi in Ganga basin from January 2011 to May 2012. The concentrations of OC, EC, and BC exhibit seasonal variability, and their concentrations were ∼2 times higher during winter (OC 38.1 ± 17.9 µg m(-3), EC 15.8 ± 7.3 µg m(-3), and BC 10.1 ± 5.3 µg m(-3)) compared to those in summer (OC 14.1 ± 4.3 µg m(-3), EC 7.5 ± 1.5 µg m(-3), and BC 4.9 ± 1.5 µg m(-3)). A significant correlation between OC and EC (R = 0.95, n = 232) indicate their common emission sources with relatively lower OC/EC ratio (range 1.0-3.6, mean 2.2 ± 0.5) suggests fossil fuel emission as a major source of carbonaceous aerosols over the station. On average, mass concentration of EC was found to be ∼38 % higher than BC during the study period. The measured absorption coefficient (babs) was significantly correlated with EC, suggesting EC as a major absorbing species in ambient aerosols at Delhi. Furthermore, the estimated mass absorption efficiency (σabs) values are similar during winter (5.0 ± 1.5 m(2) g(-1)) and summer (4.8 ± 2.8 m(2) g(-1)). Significantly high aerosol loading of carbonaceous species emphasize an urgent need to focus on air quality management and proper impact assessment on health perspective in these regions.

Sources and characteristics of carbonaceous aerosols at Agra "World heritage site" and Delhi "capital city of India".

Agra, one of the oldest cities "World Heritage site", and Delhi, the capital city of India are both located in the border of Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) and heavily loaded with atmospheric aerosols due to tourist place, anthropogenic activities, and its topography, respectively. Therefore, there is need for monitoring of atmospheric aerosols to perceive the scenario and effects of particles over northern part of India. The present study was carried out at Agra (AGR) as well as Delhi (DEL) during winter period from November 2011 to February 2012 of fine particulate (PM2.5: d < 2.5 µm) as well as associated carbonaceous aerosols. PM2.5 was collected at both places using medium volume air sampler (offline measurement) and analyzed for organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC). Also, simultaneously, black carbon (BC) was measured (online) at DEL. The average mass concentration of PM2.5 was 165.42 ± 119.46 µg m(-3) at AGR while at DEL it was 211.67 ± 41.94 µg m(-3) which is ~27% higher at DEL than AGR whereas the BC mass concentration was 10.60 µg m(-3). The PM2.5 was substantially higher than the annual standard stipulated by central pollution control board and United States Environmental Protection Agency standards. The average concentrations of OC and EC were 69.96 ± 34.42 and 9.53 ± 7.27 µm m(-3), respectively. Total carbon (TC) was 79.01 ± 38.98 µg m(-3) at AGR, while it was 50.11 ± 11.93 (OC), 10.67 ± 3.56 µg m(-3) (EC), and 60.78 ± 14.56 µg m(-3) (TC) at DEL. The OC/EC ratio was 13.75 at (AGR) and 5.45 at (DEL). The higher OC/EC ratio at Agra indicates that the formation of secondary organic aerosol which emitted from variable primary sources. Significant correlation between PM2.5 and its carbonaceous species were observed indicating similarity in sources at both sites. The average concentrations of secondary organic carbon (SOC) and primary organic carbon (POC) at AGR were 48.16 and 26.52 µg m(-3) while at DEL it was 38.78 and 27.55 µg m(-3), respectively. In the case of POC, similar concentrations were observed at both places but in the case of SOC higher over AGR by 24 in comparison to DEL, it is due to the high concentration of OC over AGR. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) was 42% higher at AGR than DEL which confirms the formation of secondary aerosol at AGR due to rural environment with higher concentrations of coarse mode particles. The SOA contribution in PM2.5 was also estimated and was ~32 and 12% at AGR and DEL respectively. Being high loading of fine particles along with carbonaceous aerosol, it is suggested to take necessary and immediate action in mitigation of the emission of carbonaceous aerosol in the northern part of India.

Variability in radiative properties of major aerosol types: a year-long study over Delhi--an urban station in Indo-Gangetic Basin.

Aerosol measurements over an urban site at Delhi in the western Ganga basin, northern India, were carried out during 2009 using a ground-based automatic sun/sky radiometer to identify their different types and to understand their possible radiative implications. Differentiation of aerosol types over the station was made using the appropriate thresholds for size-distribution of aerosols (i.e. fine-mode fraction, FMF at 500 nm) and radiation absorptivity (i.e. single scattering albedo, SSA at 440 nm). Four different aerosol types were identified, viz., polluted dust (PD), polluted continent (PC), mostly black carbon (MBC) and mostly organic carbon (MOC), which contributed ~48%, 32%, 11% and 9%, respectively to the total aerosols. Interestingly, the optical properties for these aerosol types differed considerably, which were further used, for the first time, to quantify their radiative implications over this station. The highest atmospheric forcing was observed for PC aerosol type (about +40 W m(-2), along with the corresponding atmospheric heating rate of 1.10 K day(-1)); whereas the lowest was for MBC aerosol type (about +25 W m(-2), along with the corresponding atmospheric heating rate of 0.69 K day(-1)).

Boundary layer aerosol characteristics at Mahabubnagar during CAIPEEX-IGOC: modeling the optical and radiative properties.

An Integrated Ground Observational Campaign (IGOC) was conducted at Mahabubnagar--a tropical rural station in the southern peninsular India, under the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX) program during the period from July to November 2011. Measured chemical composition and carbonaceous aerosols from PM2.5 samples were used in an aerosol optical model to deduce crucial aerosol optical properties, which were then used in a radiative transfer model for radiative forcing estimations. The model derived aerosol optical depth (AOD at 500 nm), varied from 0.13 to 0.76 (mean of 0.40 ± 0.18) whereas Ångström exponent (AE) between 0.10 and 0.65 (mean of 0.33 ± 0.17) suggests relative dominance of coarse particles over the station. On the other hand, single scattering albedo (SSA at 500 nm) was found to vary from 0.78 to 0.92 (mean of 0.87 ± 0.04) during the measurement period. The magnitude of absorption Ångström exponent (AAE), varied from 0.83 to 1.33 (mean of 1.10 ± 0.15), suggests mixed type aerosols over the station. Aerosol direct radiative forcing was estimated and found to vary from -8.9 to -49.3 W m(-2) (mean of -27.4 ± 11.8 W m(-2)) at the surface and +9.7 to +44.5 W m(-2) (mean of +21.3 ± 9.4 W m(-2)) in the atmosphere during the course of measurements. The atmospheric forcing was observed to be ~30% higher during October (+ 29 ± 9 W m(-2)) as compared to August (+21 ± 7 W m(-2)) when the station is mostly influenced by continental polluted aerosols. The result suggests an additional atmospheric heating rate of 0.24 K day(-1) during October, which may be crucial for various boundary layer processes in favorable atmospheric conditions.

Contribution of anthropogenic aerosols in direct radiative forcing and atmospheric heating rate over Delhi in the Indo-Gangetic Basin.

INTRODUCTION: The present work is aimed to understand direct radiation effects due to aerosols over Delhi in the Indo-Gangetic Basin (IGB) region, using detailed chemical analysis of surface measured aerosols during the year 2007. METHODS: An optically equivalent aerosol model was formulated on the basis of measured aerosol chemical compositions along with the ambient meteorological parameters to derive radiatively important aerosol optical parameters. The derived aerosol parameters were then used to estimate the aerosol direct radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere, surface, and in the atmosphere. RESULTS: The anthropogenic components measured at Delhi were found to be contributing ∼ 72% to the composite aerosol optical depth (AOD(0.5) ∼ 0.84). The estimated mean surface and atmospheric forcing for composite aerosols over Delhi were found to be about -69, -85, and -78 W m(-2) and about +78, +98, and +79 W m(-2) during the winter, summer, and post-monsoon periods, respectively. The anthropogenic aerosols contribute ∼ 90%, 53%, and 84% to the total aerosol surface forcing and ∼ 93%, 54%, and 88% to the total aerosol atmospheric forcing during the above respective periods. The mean (± SD) surface and atmospheric forcing for composite aerosols was about -79 (± 15) and +87 (± 26) W m(-2) over Delhi with respective anthropogenic contributions of ∼ 71% and 75% during the overall period of observation. CONCLUSIONS: Aerosol induced large surface cooling, which was relatively higher during summer as compared to the winter suggesting an increase in dust loading over the station. The total atmospheric heating rate at Delhi averaged during the observation was found to be 2.42 ± 0.72 K day(-1), of which the anthropogenic fraction contributed as much as ∼ 73%.