Research Projects

Atmospheric aerosols, small droplets suspended in air, play a crucial role in atmospheric and meteorological phenomena. They can scatter or absorb solar radiation, affecting the overall radiation balance. Light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols, such as black carbon and brown carbon, warm the atmosphere and modify the Earth's dynamics. The 2013 calamity in the Mandakini valley, home to the Hindu shrine of Lord shiva, severely impacted the valley's environment. A proposed project aims to address air pollution in the Mandakini Valley, focusing on the Char-Dham Yatra. The project will involve in-situ measurements for optical characterization of atmospheric aerosols in five wavelength ranges and meteorology in different microenvironments. Remote sensing techniques and climate modeling will be used to understand the pollution's origins. This research is a unique effort to better understand the optical characteristics of aerosols in the Mandakini Glacier Valley.