Trend Analysis for Different Types of Aerosols in Conjugation with Temperatures for the Indian Region During the Post-Monsoon Season (1980-2019)

Abstract

Abstract This study has made an effort to understand the long-term changes of aerosol loadings as well as temperature in the post-monsoon season (October-November) over a 40-year long period (1980–2019) for the Indian region using MERRA-2 reanalysis data. Special emphasis has been given on the highly populated and polluted cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kanpur, and Jaipur. The focus was put on the total Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and on that of Black Carbon (BC), Organic Carbon (OC) and Sulphates. The rapid urbanisation and increasing population of the cities have brought along increasing air pollution levels, and an increase in AOD levels, especially in the recent decades. The changes in temperature were analyzed by studying the air temperature at 2m height and the surface air temperature parameters. The temperatures, although at varying rates, have increased throughout the Indian region in the past decades. The long-term trend analysis of aerosols showed an increase in rapid rise in the AOD levels. Corresponding increase or decrease in temperature trends have been discussed.