Urban Aerosol Clean Islands

A 17-year IIT Bhubaneswar study reveals "Urban Aerosol Clean Islands" in North India, where cities have lower aerosol levels than nearby rural areas. Discover how urban structures block pollution through wind stilling and what this means for air quality and climate studies.

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Context

  • Recently, a 17-year satellite-based study (2003-2020) of 141 Indian cities found that several cities in the north and northwest Indo-Gangetic Plain have lower aerosol levels than nearby rural areas. Researchers from IIT Bhubaneswar have dubbed these cities.

"Urban Aerosol Clean Islands"

Key Highlights

  • 57% of cities (mainly in south & southeast India) had higher aerosol levels than nearby rural areas, termed Urban Aerosol Pollution Islands.
  • 43% of cities (mainly in north & northwest Indo-Gangetic Plain) had lower aerosol levels than surrounding areas, termed Urban Aerosol Clean Islands.

About Urban Aerosol Clean Islands

  • Cities acted as barriers that resisted or redirected incoming aerosols.
  • Clean island effect was most visible during pre-monsoon due to dust transport; disappears during monsoon and less prominent in winter.
  • Wind Stilling Effect: Caused by urban structures slowing surface winds, creating atmospheric stagnation zones.
  • These act as invisible barriers, blocking long-range dust and pollution, especially from the Thar Desert and biomass burning.

Global Context

  • Similar clean island effects have been noted in Shanghai, Atlanta, and European cities, though attributed to suburban emissions. 


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