High black carbon episodes over a polluted metropolis near the land-sea boundary and their impact on associated atmospheric dynamics.

The present investigation outlines the crucial factors that influence the black carbon (BC) concentrations over a polluted metropolis, Kolkata (22.57° N, 88.37° E), India.

Multitechnique Observations on the Impacts of Declining Air Pollution on the Atmospheric Convective Processes During COVID-19 Pandemic at a Tropical Metropolis.

The present study addresses the impacts of reduced anthropogenic activities during the lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic on the aerosol concentration, treated as heat absorbing agent, and on the related atmospheric processes, using ground-based and spaceborne measurements over a highly polluted Indian metropolis, Kolkata. The investigation reveals that reduced aerosol concentrations during the pre-monsoon of 2020, when the lockdown was implemented, decreased atmospheric instability as indicated by low values of the convective available potential energy (CAPE). This hindered the abundance of aerosols above the atmospheric boundary layer.

An empirical method for source apportionment of black carbon aerosol: Results from Aethalometer observations at five different locations in India.

Black carbon (BC) aerosol emitted in incomplete combustion processes is known for causing warming in the climate system also poses serious health issues. Identification of the sources of BC is essential for the development of mitigation strategies to regulate their effects in changing climate. Among different observational and analytical techniques currently available, source apportionment methods based on optical measurements are relatively simple.