AN INVESTIGATION ON AEROSOL TREND OVER INDIA AND THE ADJOINING OCEANIC REGIONS

Abstract

Atmospheric aerosol particles impact Earth’s radiation balance and therefore, its climate. They alter Earth’s albedo by scattering and absorbing solar radiations and by influencing cloud formation and properties. The interaction of solar and terrestrial radiation on aerosols in affects the modification of cloud properties, and the influence on ocean biogeochemistry all affects the earth’s climate. When we analyze satellite data, a number of patterns emerge from Earth’s aerosols. Some are driven by nature and others by man. Surges of aerosol can make their way into the atmosphere almost anywhere on Earth depending on the season and weather conditions. The spatial distribution of aerosol over the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Sub-continent is examined using satellite observations for the period from 2011 to 2020. Various weather patterns are observed in the vertical structure of aerosol over the region. This study of aerosols provides information on climatology at the specified region using a long spectroradiometer like MODIS. AOD (Aerosol Optical Depth) data from MODIS and aerosol extinction profiles are analyzed for a time period of 2011 to 2021 and a 3D distribution of aerosol over BoB, AS and Indian regions is studied. By combining long-term satellite observations from MODIS, it shows rapid changes in aerosol spatial distribution over the region. A statistically significant trend in boundary layer aerosol concentration is noticed over the regions. The AOD data of aerosol was taken from the Giovani site provided by NASA. The data is analyzed and aerosol trends in the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian region are studied for 10 years. This study of aerosols provides information on climatology and varying trend over the region using data from the spectroradiometer MODIS and their proper analysis. AOD (Aerosol Optical Depth) data from MODIS is analyzed for a time period of 2011 to 2020 and the distribution of aerosol over the region is studied.