Optical properties of dust and crop burning emissions over India using ground and satellite data

Dust storms during the pre-monsoon season (April-June) and crop residual burning events during the post-monsoon season (mid-October-mid-November) are common every year over the Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP). In this paper, we have compared dust storm and crop burning aerosols characteristics for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 using ground and satellite data. CALIPSO data show that dust layers extended from the ground upto an altitude of about 5 km and the smoke from crop burning upto the height of 2 km. Characteristics of dust and crop burning aerosols show pronounced difference based on Kanpur AERONET data. Dominance of coarse particles (0.6-15 μm) during dust storms (pre-monsoon season), while fine particles (0.05-0.6 μm) dominate during crop residual burning. The spectral variations of single scattering albedo (SSA) during dusty days and crop burning days show low and high fractions of anthropogenic aerosols. We have also observed the impact of dust particles on Himalayan snow (cover, albedo and reflectance) and meteorological parameters (relative humidity and water vapor) on the surface and lower atmosphere using MODIS data and AIRS data at different pressure levels. Pronounced aerosols behaviors of the crop residual burning event coincided with Diwali festival on 30-31 October 2016 were observed. Our detailed analysis combining ground and satellite observations provides better understanding of aerosol optical and microphysical properties of dust storms and crop residual burnings. The results will be valuable in monitoring surrounding environment, identifying the emission source and dynamics of dust storms and crop burning emissions over India, especially in the IGP.