Spatial Temporal Analysis of Air Quality and their Relation to Meteorological Parameters, in India

Abstract

Air pollution has become a significant global issue, with India ranking 8th in the world for hazardous air quality based on the latest 2022 report. (World Air Quality Report 2023). The growing urban sprawl and human-induced environmental activities have led to a decline in air quality. The Air Quality Index assesses the level of pollution in the air at a particular region. It is a fundamental right for individuals to be informed about the quality of the air they breathe for their well-being. This study aims to examine air pollution levels and trends across various geographical locations in India using data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change in India. The study focuses on analyzing the annual growth of pollutants such as SO2, NO2, PM10, and PM2.5 from 2016 to 2021, collected from monitoring stations in 28 states across 256 locations. The research evaluates the impact of different particulate matter concentrations and showcases the spatial variation of air pollutants between 2016 and 2021. Results indicate a significant decrease in air pollution levels during lockdown periods compared to pre-lockdown periods. On an average (over all cities), more than 24% decrease has been observed for all the AQI of the pollutants. Additionally, a comparative analysis reveals correlations between meteorological factors and air quality, showing that temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed are negatively correlated with AQI, while surface pressure is positively correlated. Temporal analysis was also conducted to examine the relationship between air pollutant concentrations and meteorological parameters.