Pollution curbs monsoon’s cleansing

Pollution curbs monsoon’s cleansing

News:

1. The study published in the Science Magazine founds that increased pollution particularly from coal burning have potentially weaken ability of monsoon.

Important Facts:

2. The monsoon plays a critical role in flushing out pollutants over the Asia region.
3. Researcher of the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry from Germany performed atmospheric chemistry measurements by aircraft in a campaign called the “Oxidation Mechanism Observations”.
4. Key finding of the campaign.

• The researchers measured the summer monsoon outflow in the upper troposphere between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean.
• The monsoon sustained a “remarkably efficient” cleansing mechanism in which contaminants are rapidly oxidized and deposited on the Earth’s surface.
• Some pollutants were lifted above the monsoon clouds.
• In winter, when atmospheric moisture is low fumes from unburnt particles it get disperse toward the Indian Ocean leading to vast pollution haze.
• However what happened to unburnt particles in summer is still unknown.
• Pollution particles can cool the sea surface temperature mostly in winter.
• It was found that when circulation reverses in summer the cooler sea surface evaporates less which can reduce the moisture flux leading to weaken the monsoon.
• The scientist also pointed out that the monsoon system may be flushing out pollutants but there was uncertainty over this effects the monsoon.

5. The “elevated-heat-pump” effect

• This effect has boost the seasonal heating of the Tibetan Plateau.
• The effect result in increasing warming in the upper troposphere during late spring and early summer.
• Spurring has enhanced monsoon rainfall over northern India during June and July.

6. Effects on India cities:

• The India Meteorological Department forecast a 3% dip in total amount of the summer monsoon rains this year.
• Pollution levels especially in north India’s Gangetic plane shoot up in winter.
• The cities have witness increase in air pollution during summer seasons.
• Delhi, Gurugram and several parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are currently face huge dust haze.
• The air pollution have put the air quality levels to the ‘severe’ category on the air quality index.
• Indian rainfall is enhanced in spring due to increased loading of black carbon.
• But the monsoon may subsequently weaken through increased cloudiness and surface cooling.