Zia ul-Haq

Tropospheric NO2 Trends over South Asia during the Last Decade (2004–2014) Using OMI Data

The focus of this study is to assess spatiotemporal variability of tropospheric NO2 over South Asia using data from spaceborne OMI during the past decade (2004–2015). We find an average value of NO2 1.0 ± 0.05 × 1015 molec/cm2 and a significant decadal increase of 14%. The elevating NO2 pollution over the region is linked to rise in motor vehicles and industrial and agricultural activities and increase in biomass fuel usage. The observed seasonality of NO2 is associated with change in meteorological conditions and seasonal cycles of anthropogenic emissions. OMI data reveal a seasonal peak in spring followed by winter largely linked to metrological conditions and anthropogenic emissions from crop residue and biomass burning for heating purpose, and low concentration in summer is mostly attributed to meteorological conditions. Significant increase, up to 42%, in NO2 concentrations over northwestern IGB, is observed connected to large scale postmonsoon crop residue events of 2010 and 2012. It is seen that NO2 is mounting over all the hotspot locations and most of the cities. Dhaka shows the highest increase of 77% followed by Islamabad (69%), Kabul (68%), Korba (64%), Bardhaman (47%), and Lahore (40%). On the contrary, DG Khan has shown negative trend of −11%.

Satellite remote sensing of total ozone column TOC over Pakistan and neighbouring regions

Total ozone column (TOC) obtained from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on board the Aura satellite was utilized to examine the spatio-temporal distribution of atmospheric ozone over Pakistan and adjoining regions of Afghanistan, India, and Iran for October 2004 to March 2014. This region has not yet been evaluated in greater detail. A yearly spatial averaged value of 278 ± 2 DU was found over the region. A decadal increase of 1.3% in TOC value over study region was observed for the first time. Large spatial and temporal variability of TOC was found over the study region. Elevated ozone columns were observed over the regions with high NO2 and CO concentrations. Analysis indicated that Srinagar city has the highest averaged value of 290 ± 3 DU whereas Jodhpur city showed the highest increasing trend of 1.9% per decade. A monthly averaged maximum value of 289 ± 8 DU and a minimum of 264 ± 5 DU were found during April and November, respectively, over the region. January showed a decreasing trend of −0.8% and February exhibited the highest increasing trend of 5.1% per decade. Forward trajectory analysis showed the possibility of ozone transport from eastern parts of the study region towards the Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal) through the subtropical jet stream creating low values at higher meridians in October. TOC data deduced from OMI and the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder were compared to check the level of correlation and the results showed significant correlation (r = 0.75) and an acceptable average relative difference of 4.2%.

Emission quantification of refrigerant CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs in megacity Lahore (Pakistan) and contributed ODPs and GWPs

An integrated assessment of emissions of some important refrigerant ozone depleting substances (ODSs) (CFC-11, CFC-12, HCFC-141b and HFC-134a) and their contributed ozone depletion potentials (ODPs) and global warming potentials (GWPs) have been made in the megacity Lahore (Pakistan) for the period from 2005 to 2013. During the production of 6.488 million refrigerator units, the cumulative estimated emissions of CFC-11, CFC-12, HCFC-141b and HFC-134a were 129.7, 6.8, 1257 and 104 mega grams (1 Mg = 106 grams). The estimated GWP (CO2-eq) and ODP (CFC 11-eq) associated with production phase emissions of these four gases were 616.07, 73.52, 910.96, and 87.36 kilotonnes, and 129.7, 6.8, 139.4, and 0 tonnes, respectively. ODP of HFC-134a is considered to be zero. In addition, the repair and maintenance of 81.2 thousand units resulted in 10.8 Mg emissions of CFC-12 with 10.8 tonnes ODP(CFC 11-eq) and 117,802 tonnes GWP (CO2-eq) that were higher than the HFC-134a emissions recorded at 4.3 Mg causing 4563 tonnes GWP(CO2-eq). A decrease in ODP (CFC 11-eq) and GWP (CO2-eq) at the rate of −8.3% and −8.2% per year is observed to be contributed by all the selected ODSs during the study period.

Sulphur dioxide loadings over megacity Lahore Pakistan and adjoining region of Indo-Gangetic Basin

ABSTRACT This article presents spatial and temporal variations of planetary boundary layer (PBL) sulphur dioxide (SO2) over megacity Lahore and adjoining region, a typical representative area in the Indo-Gangetic Basin (IGB) largely influenced by transported volcanic SO2 from Africa, Middle East, and southern Europe, by using data retrieved from satellite-based Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) during October 2004–September 2015. We find a positive trend of 2.4% per year (slope 0.01 ± 0.005 with y-intercept 0.35 ± 0.03 Dobson Unit (DU), correlation coefficient r = 0.55 and 2-tailed p-value at 0.1) of OMI-SO2 column with the average value of 0.4 ± 0.05 DU. Strong seasonality of OMI-SO2 column is observed over the region linked with local meteorology, patterns of anthropogenic emissions, crop residue burning, and vegetation cover. There exists a seasonal high value in winter 0.56 ± 0.24 DU with a peak in December 0.67 ± 0.26 DU. The seasonal lowest value is observed to be 0.29 ± 0.11 DU in wet summer with minimum value in July 0.25 ± 0.06 DU. High growth rates of OMI-SO2 column over the study region have been observed in January, June, October, and December ranging from 5.7% to 11.6% per year. Satellite data show elevated OMI-SO2 columns in 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2012 largely contributed by trans-boundary volcanic SO2. A detailed analysis of volcanic SO2 transported from Africa and Middle East (Jabal Al-Tair, Dalaffilla, and Nabro volcanoes) over the study area is presented. Air mass trajectories suggest the presence of long-range transported volcanic SO2 at high altitude levels over Lahore and IGB region during the volcanic episodes. The SO2 enhancements in PBL during winter season are generally due to significant vertical downdraft of high-altitude volcanic SO2. For the first time, we present significant influence of volcanic SO2 from southern Europe (Mt. Etna volcano) reaching over the study area. Daily mean OMI-SO2 levels up to 21.4, 10.0, 5.6, and 2.4 DU have been noticed due to the eruptions from Dalaffilla, Mt. Etna, Nabro, and Jabal Al-Tair volcanoes, respectively.

Satellite-sensed tropospheric NO2 patterns and anomalies over Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna river basins

ABSTRACT This study presents trends, seasonality, hot spots, and anomalies of tropospheric NO2 pollution over four basins of Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers in South Asia using observations from Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on-board Aura satellite during 2004–2015. For the first time this area, a highly populated and industrialized region with significant emissions of air pollutants, has been discussed collectively. OMI data reveal significantly elevated NO2 column over the region averaged at (1.9 ± 0.1) × 1015 molecules cm–2 (average ± standard deviation of observations) with an increase of 21.12% (slope (0.036 ± 0.004) × 1015 molecules cm–2, y-intercept (1.705 ± 0.024) × 1015 molecules cm–2, R2 = 0.92) during the study period. According to MACCity anthropogenic emissions inventory transportation, energy, residential, and industrial sectors are the major contributors of high NOx emissions. NO2 pollution hot spots are identified and their tendencies have been discussed. The hot spots of megacities Lahore (Pakistan) and Dhaka (Bangladesh) are found to be strengthening and expanding over the time. Eastern Ganges Basin shows the highest NO2 concentration at (2.63 ± 0.22) × 1015 molecules cm–2 and growth rate of 3.22% per year mainly linked to power generation, fossil fuel extraction, mining activities, and biomass burning. NO2 over Indus–Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna Basin exhibits seasonal maximum in winter and minimum in monsoon. The highest seasonality is found over Meghna Basin due to large variations in meteorological conditions and large-scale crop-residue burning. Some anomalies in NO2 levels have been detected linked to intense crop-residue burning events. During these anomalies, exceptionally high levels of daily NO2 reaching up to 76.23 × 1015 molecules cm–2 have been observed over some places in Indus and Meghna Basins.

Ranking criteria for assessment of municipal solid waste dumping sites

Abstract Priority wise channelization of resources is the key to successful environmental management, especially when funds are limited. The study in hand has successfully developed an algorithmic criterion to compare hazardous effects of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) dumping sites quantitatively. It is a Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) that has made use of the scaling function to normalize the data values, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for assigning weights to input parameters showing their relevant importance, and Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) for aggregating the normalized scores. Input parameters have been divided into three classes namely Resident’s Concerns, Groundwater Vulnerability and Surface Facilities. Remote Sensing data and GIS analysis were used to prepare most of the input data. To elaborate the idea, four dumpsites have been chosen as case study, namely Old-FSD, New-FSD, Saggian and Mahmood Booti. The comparison has been made first at class levels and then class scores have been aggregated into environmental normalized index for environmental impact ranking. The hierarchy of goodness found for the selected sites is New-FSD > Old-FSD > Mahmood Booti > Saggian with comparative scores of goodness to environment as 36.67, 28.43, 21.26 and 13.63 respectively. Flexibility of proposed model to adjust any number of classes and parameters in one class will be very helpful for developing world where availability of data is the biggest hurdle in research based environmental sustainability planning. The model can be run even without purchasing satellite data and GIS software, with little inaccuracy, using imagery and measurement tools provided by Google Earth.

Satellite Remote Sensing of Aerosols and Gaseous Pollution over Pakistan

The trace gases–aerosols–climate interaction is an important subject regarding climate change, air quality studies, and modeling. This study focuses on the spatiotemporal variability, trends, and seasonality of aerosols and important trace gases such as NO2, CH4, O3, and CO over Pakistan using satellite remote sensing. In the present work, to assess the total aerosol burden, we have analyzed the Aqua-MODIS derived deep blue aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 550 nm for the period July 2002 to June 2015. We have also compared AOD from Aqua with that of Terra and MISR. High correlation (R = 0.832) was observed between Aqua-AOD and Terra-AOD while relatively low correlation (0.666) was found between Aqua-AOD and MISR-AOD. The AOD starts to increase from February and becomes maximum (0.55) in July and then decreases afterwards. We have also discussed seasonal and annual mean AOD derived from Aqua-MODIS over six megacities of Pakistan. Annual mean value of tropospheric NO2 column derived from OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument) is found to be 1.187 ± 0.018 × 1015 molecules/cm2 during 2005–2015. NO2 column exhibits two peaks, i.e., primary peak in June (1.325 ± 0.079 × 1015 molecules/cm2) and secondary peak in December (1.258 ± 0.099 × 1015 molecules/cm2). Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) observations reveal an annual averaged value of CO to be 123.165 ± 6.67 (ppbv). AIRS data show large spatial and temporal variations of lower-tropospheric O3 retrieved at 850 hPa. Yearly time and space averaged value of O3 is 42.27 ± 0.35 ppbv with increasing trend of 0.17% per year. SCIAMACHY data show that total column of CH4 is elevating with the rate of 0.41% per year with an annual mean value of 1787 ± 22 ppbv during the study period.

Comparison of total ozone column observations from space-borne Ozone Monitoring Instrument with ground-based Dobson Ozone Spectrophotometer measurements at an urban location in Indo-Gangetic Basin

ABSTRACT This article presents a comparison analysis of OMIT (Ozone Monitoring Instrument retrieved overpass total ozone column (TOC)), and DOST (Dobson Ozone Spectrophotometer observed TOC) over Delhi during a period from October 2004 to June 2011. Megacity Delhi, located in Indo-Gangetic Basin, is an important site for comparison of ground-based and satellite retrieved TOCs due to significant anthropogenic emissions of ozone precursors, large shift in seasons, and large-scale crop residue burning in the region. DOST and OMIT data show an overall bias of 3.07% and significant correlation with coefficient of determination R2 = 0.73. Large seasonal fluctuations in the biases and correlations have been observed ranging from 2.46% (winter) to 3.82% (spring), and R2 = 0.84 (winter) to R2 = 0.09 (summer), respectively. The large biases are attributed to changes in temperature, cloud cover, pollutants emissions from urban area, and crop-residue burning events. We also find notable variations in correlations between the datasets due to the varying burden of absorbing aerosols from open field crop-residue burning. The R2 has changed from 0.67 (for aerosol optical depth, AOD 1.5–3.5) to 0.77 (for AOD 0–0.99). The dependence of the bias on solar zenith angle, cloud fraction, and satellite distance is also discussed. A simple linear regression analysis is applied to check the linkage between DOST and OMIT. The influence of atmospheric air temperature and relative humidity on OMIT at different pressure levels between 1000 and 20 hPa has been discussed.

Ground-Based Remote Sensing of Aerosol Properties over a Coastal Megacity of Pakistan

Atmospheric aerosols are considered to be an important constituent of Earth’s atmosphere because of their climatic, environmental, and health effects. Therefore, while studying the global climate change, investigation of aerosol concentrations and properties is essential both at local and regional levels. In this paper, we have used relatively long-term Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) data during September 2006–August 2014 to analyze aerosol properties such as aerosol optical depth at 500 nm (AOD), Angstrom exponent (440–870 nm) (AE), refractive index (RI), and asymmetry parameter over Karachi, a coastal megacity of Pakistan. The average annual values of AOD and AE were found to be 0.48 ± 0.20 and 0.59 ± 0.29, respectively. The peak (0.88 ± 0.31) AOD was recorded in July with corresponding AE of 0.30 ± 0.22 representing reasonably higher concentration of coarse size particles over Karachi. The cluster analysis using the scatter plot between absorption AE and extinction AE revealed that desert dust prevailed in the atmosphere of Karachi in spring and summer, while biomass burning aerosols dominate in autumn and winter. The peak values of volume concentrations of coarse and fine-mode particulate matter were found in summer and autumn, respectively. Also, we found significant growing trend in single-scattering albedo with wavelength, indicating the domination of dust particles during summer and spring. The peak value of the real part of the RI was observed in spring (1.53) and modest in winter (1.50). On the contrary, the peak value of the imaginary part of the RI was observed to be constantly elevated in winter and lesser in spring.