Research Projects

Carbonaceous aerosols, a complex organic mass emitted from various combustion sources, significantly contribute to air particulate matter (PM) in northern India. The complex molecular composition of these aerosols and the need for extensive laboratory expertise to study their molecular organics pose a significant challenge in mitigating air pollution. Typically, studies on combustion sources are limited to umbrella carbon aerosol fractions, and information about molecular composition is sparse. To accurately trace and understand the contributions of different combustion source types, temporal studies of carbonaceous aerosols and their molecular characterization are needed. The proposed project aims to quantify organic aerosols, light-absorbing water-soluble carbon, and highly polar compounds in PM in the Bathinda region of Punjab. It will identify molecular tracers of non-polar and polar nature using advanced molecular characterization techniques. The project will also analyze inorganic aerosol mass and record temporal variations, validate emission trends, and quantify progressive sources using recommended source apportionment models. The project will provide information on the temporal speciation of organic aerosols, molecular markers/tracers, inorganic ionic and metal components, and receptor-modeled source apportionment and contribution details of diverse combustion sources in different seasons. It will also assess the role of carbonaceous aerosols in regional air quality and provide critical scientific information to better understand regional smog and fog events. The molecular tracers' data will not only improve local source characterization but also help study the aging, atmospheric aerosol conversion, and transportation of carbonaceous aerosol mass from other countries, particularly Pakistan.

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