Spatio-temporal variations in air pollutants and their impact on wheat crop production in eastern Uttar Pradesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54386/jam.v27i2.2862Keywords:
AOD, Black carbon, Wheat yield, HYSPLIT model., Trends and vaiability, , Backward trajectory analysisAbstract
Recently, air pollutants have posed significant hazards to agricultural production, emerging as a critical risk to global food security. To address this issue, the study examines the spatio-temporal variability of air pollutants, specifically aerosol optical depth (AOD) and black carbon (BC). It investigates the impact of these pollutants on wheat production in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. The study uses MODIS satellite observations and MERRA-2 reanalysis data, the study analyzes monthly and seasonal variations in AOD and BC from 2001 to 2023. The findings highlight a noticeable rise in AOD and BC due to biomass/residue burning, fossil fuel emissions and transported dust. Backward trajectory analysis, conducted using HYSPLIT modeling, traces pollutant origins and transport pathways from regions like the Thar Desert and the Arabian Sea. Wheat yield assessments in districts such as Varanasi, Gorakhpur, and Sonbhadra reveal spatially variable impacts of aerosols on crop productivity. Elevated AOD levels are linked to reduced wheat yields in some districts, while BC exhibits minimal influence. This study underscores the critical need for targeted regional policies to mitigate air pollution and minimize its adverse effects on agriculture in this high-yielding wheat-growing region.
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