Rizana Salim

Abstract Atmospheric aerosols significantly impact climate, and the hydrological cycle, in high-altitude regions like the Western Ghats in India, where monsoon dynamics play a critical role. Here we present the first Q-ACSM-based characterization of non-refractory submicron aerosol (NR-PM1) and organic aerosol (OA) source apportionment from Munnar, Kerala, during the Southwest monsoon season (06 June—25 July 2021).

The chemical composition and adverse health effects of particulate matter arising from plastic burning have been poorly understood till now. The IIT Madras study addresses this lacuna by demonstrating what the particles are made of and how these particles have a much greater impact on health Open plastic burning is a widespread but often overlooked source of air pollution in India and many other parts of the world.

Abstract Aerosol-cloud-precipitation interaction represents the largest uncertainty in climate change’s current and future understanding. Therefore, aerosol properties affecting the cloud and precipitation formation and their accurate estimation is a first step in developing improved parameterizations for the prognostic climate models.