In a bid to tackle the persistent issue of air pollution in northern India, a team of researchers led by Dr. M. Kajino from the Meteorological Research Institute (MRI) of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has shed new light on the impact of post-monsoon crop residue burning (CRB) on PM2.5 levels. Their study, published in the journal ‘Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics’ (translated as ‘Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics’), offers a nuanced understanding of the problem and points towards potential solutions that could have significant implications for maritime sectors.
The research focused on the Punjab–Haryana–Delhi (PHD) region, where CRB is a major contributor to air pollution. Using a regional meteorology–chemistry model and a high-density network of surface observation stations, the team optimized CRB emissions for the period of 1–15 November 2022. They found that the emissions in this period were significantly underestimated in previous studies, with the prior PM2.5 emissions being off by approximately 8.6 times. This underestimation was partly due to clouds or thick smoke/haze obscuring satellite observations on certain days, such as 8 and 10 November 2022.
Dr. Kajino and his team developed a new emission inventory, dubbed OFEv1.0, which accounts for diurnal variations in emissions. They found that the mean contribution of CRB to surface PM2.5 over PHD was 30%–34%, but this figure could spike to 50%–56% during plume events that transport pollutants from Punjab to Haryana and Delhi. This finding underscores the importance of considering diurnal variations in emissions, as the shape of these variations could differ from day to day.
The study’s findings have significant implications for maritime sectors, particularly those involved in shipping and port operations. Air pollution can have a detrimental impact on the health and productivity of workers in these sectors, as well as on the environment. By providing a more accurate understanding of the sources and patterns of air pollution, this research could help maritime professionals to develop more effective strategies for mitigating its impacts.
Moreover, the study’s emphasis on the importance of diurnal variations in emissions could open up new opportunities for maritime sectors to optimize their operations. For instance, shipping companies could adjust their schedules to avoid periods of high pollution, while port operators could implement measures to reduce emissions during these times.
In the words of Dr. Kajino, “Our study highlights the importance of using high-density in situ surface observation networks to optimize emissions and improve our understanding of air pollution. We hope that our findings will contribute to the development of more effective strategies for mitigating the impacts of air pollution on maritime sectors and the environment.”
The study’s findings were made possible by the use of a high-density network of Compact and Useful PM2.5 Instrument with Gas Sensors (CUPI-G) stations, which provided crucial data for optimizing CRB emissions. This underscores the importance of investing in advanced monitoring technologies, which can provide valuable insights into the sources and patterns of air pollution.
In conclusion, Dr. Kajino and his team’s research offers a timely and valuable contribution to our understanding of the impact of post-monsoon CRB on PM2.5 levels in northern India. By highlighting the importance of considering diurnal variations in emissions and the need for more accurate emission inventories, the study paves the way for more effective strategies for mitigating the impacts of air pollution on maritime sectors and the environment.