Black carbon over tropical Indian coast during the COVID-19 lockdown: inconspicuous role of coastal meteorology.

ABSTRACT: Black carbon (BC) aerosols critically impact the climate and hydrological cycle. The impact of anthropogenic emissions and coastal meteorology on BC dynamics, however, remains unclear over tropical India, a globally identified hotspot. In this regard, we have performed in situ measurements of BC over a megacity (Chennai, 12° 59' 26.5″ N, 80° 13' 51.8″ E) on the eastern coast of India during January-June 2020, comprising the period of COVID-19-induced strict lockdown. Our measurements revealed an unprecedented reduction in BC concentration by an order of magnitude as reported by other studies for various other pollutants. This was despite having stronger precipitation during pre-lockdown and lesser precipitation washout during the lockdown. Our analyses, taking mesoscale dynamics into accou

SUBMITTER: Vaishya A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9878492 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature