Informatics Publishing Limited

Sachin D. Ghude ¹, G. S. Bhat ², Thara Prabhakaran ¹, R. K. Jenamani ³, D. M. Chate ¹, P. D. Safai ¹, A. K. Karipot ⁴, M. Konwar ¹, Prakash Pithani ¹, V. Sinha ⁵, P. S. P. Rao ¹, S. A. Dixit ¹, S. Tiwari ¹, K. Todekar ¹, S. Varpe ¹, A. K. Srivastava ¹, D. S. Bisht ¹, P. Murugavel ¹, Kaushar Ali ¹, Usha Mina ⁶, M. Dharua ¹, J. Rao ¹, B. Padmakumari ¹, A. Hazra ¹, N. Nigam ³, U. Shende ³, D. M. Lal ¹, B. P. Chandra ⁵, A. K. Mishra ⁵, A. Kumar ⁵, H. Hakkim ⁵, H. Pawar ⁵, P. Acharja ¹, Rachana Kulkarni ¹, C. Subharthi ¹, B. Balaji ¹, M. Varghese ¹, S. Bera ¹, M. Rajeevan ⁷

Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pashan, Pune 411 008, IN
2 Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, IN
3 India Meteorological Department, New Delhi 110 003, IN
4 Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411 007, IN
5 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Mohali 140 306, IN
6 Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012, IN
7 Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, New Delhi 110 003, IN

Abstract

The objectives of the Winter Fog Experiment (WIFEX) over the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India are to develop better now-casting and forecasting of winter fog on various time- and spatial scales. Maximum fog occurrence over northwest India is about 48 days (visibility <1000 m) per year, and it occurs mostly during the December-February time-period. The physical and chemical characteristics of fog, meteorological factors responsible for its genesis, sustenance, intensity and dissipation are poorly understood. Improved understanding on the above aspects is required to develop reliable forecasting models and observational techniques for accurate prediction of the fog events. Extensive sets of comprehensive ground-based instrumentation were deployed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Major in situ sensors were deployed to measure surface micro-meteorological conditions, radiation balance, turbulence, thermodynamical structure of the surface layer, fog droplet and aerosol microphysics, aerosol optical properties, and aerosol and fog water chemistry to describe the complete environmental conditions under which fog develops. In addition, Weather Forecasting Model coupled with chemistry is planned for fog prediction at a spatial resolution of 2 km. The present study provides an introductory overview of the winter fog field campaign with its unique instrumentation.

Keywords

Aerosols, Atmospheric Profiles, Forecasting, Winter Fog.

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Rudraksh Gupta ¹, Manju Rawat Ranjan ¹, Usha Mina ², Rajul Kumar Gupta ³

Affiliations
1 Amity Institute of Environmental Sciences, Amity University, Noida, IN
2 School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, Delhi, IN
3 Army College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, IN

Abstract

The present study endeavours to explore the role of vegetation in air quality improvement at selected sites of Delhi. The study was conducted at four sites of Delhi-Pusa in Central Delhi, ITO in East Delhi, Dwarka in South West Delhi and Rohini in North West Delhi. To monitor and quantify the abundance, frequency and density of vegetation of the sites,belt transect method (with 500m transect and 30 quadrats of 0.5 x 0.5m) was used. Results of the study indicate that Pusa had highest abundance(6.7), frequency(86%) and density(6.2) of vegetation as compared to Dwarka, Rohini and ITO. ITO site has minimum abundance (2.0), frequency (50%) and density (1.9) of vegetation. There was a statistically negative correlation between the abundance, frequency and density of vegetation and ambient levels of chemical air pollutants. Physical pollutant (PM _2.5), doesn’t seem to get affected by vegetation. The study indicates that the contribution of vegetation is significant in improving air quality of urban areas.

Keywords

Air Quality, Vegetation, Pollution Reduction, Abundance, Frequency, Density, Belt Transect Method, Delhi.

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