Black carbon aerosol variations over Patiala city, Punjab, India—A study during agriculture crop residue burning period using ground measurements and satellite data

In the present study, we have analyzed the variations in black carbon (BC) aerosol mass concentration over Patiala city, Punjab, India, during October/November-2008 associated with agriculture crop residue burning activities. BC mass concentration, observed to be very high (above 20 μg m−3) on certain days during November-2008, was closely associated with intensive agriculture crop residue burning practices over the region. Higher values (>1.0) of ground-measured aerosol optical depth (AOD) together with increase (>1.2) in angstrom exponent (α) values suggested dominance of fine mode aerosols over the region. Satellite observations clearly define the fire spot areas and the enhanced aerosol burden over the region. BC absorption coefficient calculated from seven channels aethalometer exhibits a pronounced diurnal variation with higher values during early morning and evening hours and lower during noon and early afternoon associated with biomass-burning activities and boundary-layer dynamics over the region.

► Higher BC mass concentration observed during October–November at Patiala, Punjab.
► Elevated atmospheric heating associated with biomass burning emissions.
► Dominance of fine mode aerosols due to transport of biomass burning aerosols.