Aerosol characteristics and direct radiative forcing over the central indo-gangetic basin during the biomass burning season (October- November)
Student name: Ms Amani Gupta
Guide: Dr Anu Rani Sharma
Year of completion: 2014
Host Organisation: Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Sagnik Dey
Abstract: Based on extreme/polluted days identification, aerosol properties and their
direct radiative effects over Kanpur in the central Indo-Gangetic Basin have
been examined for the period of 12 years (2001-12) during the biomass burning
season (October and November). In this study, ground-based AERONET
(Aerosol Robotic Network) data and MISR retrieved data are used for the
examination of aerosol properties. Aerosol optical properties include extinction
coefficient, aerosol optical depth (AOD), single scattering albedo (SSA),
angstrom exponent (α) and asymmetry parameter (g) which have been estimated
using OPAC (Optical Properties of Aerosols and Clouds) model. Aerosol
microphysical properties include particle type (ff
, fm, fl) and particle shape (fsp,
fnsp) which are retrieved using MISR (Multiangle-Imaging Spectroradiometer)
data and MATLAB. Direct radiative forcing (DRF) measurements have been
calculated using SBDART (Santa Barbara Discrete Ordinate Radiative
Transfer), a model developed by Ricchiazzi et al. [1998]. DRF measurements for
top-of-the-atmosphere, surface and atmosphere in October corresponds to –
12.33 W m-2
, - 65.7 W m-2
and 53.37 W m-2
respectively. For November, DRF
measurements are – 9.64 W m-2
, - 68.6 W m-2
and 58.96 W m-2
respectively.
Large negative surface cooling and positive atmospheric heating over Kanpur
would decrease evaporation level from the earth’s surface and hence the amount
of precipitation, thereby, affecting the regional hydrological cycle. Thus, raising
several climatic issues.
Keywords: Indo-Gangetic Basin, biomass burning, aerosol properties, direct
radiative forcing, Kanpur
