Analyzing Long-Term Air Quality Trends In Different Zones of India Using HYSPLIT Model

Abstract

Based on statistical analysis using the Hybrid Single–Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model, driven by meteorological data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reanalysis archives, along with concentration monitoring data from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of PM10, PM2.5, SO2, and NO2 in six zones of India from 2011 to 2019, the primary transport pathways and potential sources of air pollutants were investigated. The trajectory classification method revealed that air masses from certain directions significantly contributed to high pollutant concentrations in the respective zones, while air masses from other directions were associated with cleaner air. Consistent with Concentration-Weighted Trajectory (CWT) results, the Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) analysis indicated that potential sources leading to elevated concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were primarily located in Indo-Gangetic Plains of Gorakhpur, north-western regions of Jodhpur and Vadodara. These areas exhibited PM10 concentrations exceeding 300 μg/m3 and PM2.5 concentrations surpassing 60 μg/m3. On the other hand, sources of sulphur and nitrogen dioxides were predominantly influenced by local emissions. Reduction of both local and regional pollution is required to yield a significant reduction in pollution of all cities. Since the selected sites for the monitoring of the ambient air quality were the tourist hotspots thus in depth studies regarding the reduction of tourist inflow is also reviewed. It is clearly seen that the destinations like Jammu, Jalandhar and Guwahati is affected the most because these places show a reduction of about 15 % in tourist inflow. All these issues can be dealt by improving the air quality using policy implementations and green initiatives. Many services can be provided to people that influence the communities to travel to these destinations in rest of the year when the air quality is comparatively better.