Vertical profiling of meteorological parameters using AMF1 in the central Himalayan region during GVAX: implications on aerosols and trace gases variations

Description

The Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) region in northern India is one of the most populated regions of the world and encompasses a variety of anthropogenic and biogenic emission sources. This region is considered to be the most polluted region in India. However, ground-based observations are very limited to verify the same. Model simulations show vertical lifting of pollutants from this region and the widespread transport during prevailing higher wind speed, hence influencing the radiation budget, chemical composition, and air quality over a wide region. Further, the chemical characteristics of the South Asian emissions are different from those in other parts of the world because of their disproportionately large contribution from bio-fuel and biomass burning, making this region a unique place for tropospheric studies.

In view of this, the first ARM Mobile Facility (AMF1) has been set-up at ARIES, Nainital (29.37°N, 79.45°E; 1958 m amsl), under the GVAX field campaign. Observations of physical-optical properties of aerosols, radiation, and meteorological parameters are being made since June 2011. Vertical profiling of meteorological parameters are also being made using radiosonde launches at 00, 06, 12, and 18 GMT on a regular basis. Vertical winds are being measured using a wind profiler. A Doppler lidar, microwave radiometer profiler, and ceilometer are also operational. Seasonal variation in the tropopause height is estimated, and its dynamical nature is analyzed. Diurnal and seasonal variation in the boundary-layer mixing height is derived, and its implication on trace gases and aerosols are studied. Apart from regional emissions and biomass burning, impacts of long-range transport are studied. Setup of a WRF-Chem is also in progress for GVAX-related studies. Details will be discussed during the poster presentation.