The Brahmaputra River Valley: A regional hotspot of black carbon emissions

  • Rajan K. Chakrabarty
  • , Mark A. Garro
  • , Eric M. Wilcox
  • , Hans Moosmüller

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

BC mass concentrations observed in Guwahati (a major city in the BRV region of SE Asia) during winter-time were found to be higher than those measured in mega cities of India and China, and much higher than values observed in urban locations of Europe and USA. Median values of the diurnal cycle of the BC mass concentration over the study period in January February 2011 are in the range of 9-41 μgm-3, with some individual values as high as 50 μgm -3 during evening and early morning times. The high level of BC mass concentrations reduces the short wave radiation at the surface which translates to a clear-sky lower atmospheric heating of ∼2K/d. This large surface cooling accompanied with significant atmospheric heating could qualitatively explain the regional climate change in the BRV region. Such a situation could intensify low-level inversion, which slows down convection and in turn inhibits cloud formation. Additionally, indirect effects associated with BC aerosols such as the cloud 'burn off effect 8 could affect the normal precipitation pattern over this region.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAir and Waste Management Association - Aerosol and Atmospheric Optics
Subtitle of host publicationVisibility and Air Pollution Specialty Conference 2012
Pages215-217
Number of pages3
StatePublished - 2012
EventAerosol and Atmospheric Optics: Visibility and Air Pollution Specialty Conference 2012 - Whitefish, MT, United States
Duration: Sep 25 2012Sep 28 2012

Publication series

NameAir and Waste Management Association - Aerosol and Atmospheric Optics: Visibility and Air Pollution Specialty Conference 2012

Conference

ConferenceAerosol and Atmospheric Optics: Visibility and Air Pollution Specialty Conference 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWhitefish, MT
Period09/25/1209/28/12

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