Extremes in Atmospheric Processes and Phenomenon: Assessment, Impacts and Mitigation (Disaster Resilience and Green Growth)

This edited book first gives an overview of issues in the studies of atmospheric sciences and then elaborates on extreme events in air pollution, their assessment, impacts, and mitigation strategies. It covers general overview of factors governing in atmosphere that lead to air pollution, description about recent and hazardous air pollution episodes, emergencies and extremes in atmospheric sciences, impact studies on living organisms and atmosphere related to emergencies and possible remedies/mitigation strategies which may also include green growth strategies for management. Increase in anthropogenic activities from different sources results in very high concentrations of air pollutants in the atmospheres and they lead to cause disturbance in seasonal cycles and atmospheric phenomena, ecological imbalance and change in the quality of air. These impacts are the major cause of short-term or long-term effects on living and non-living systems. In the recent years, several instances of extremes atmosphere and air pollution related emergencies causing accidental episodes, fog, smog, health related, heat and cold wave etc. are experienced. This book brings the attention on such issues in atmospheric sciences and discuss the disaster preparedness and management plus emergencies. This book is valuable reading material for students in Environmental Science, Biological Science, Medical Science, Policy Planning, Disaster Management and Agriculture. It’s useful for environmental consultants, researchers and other professionals involved in air quality, plant, humans and disasters related research. Foreword Preface Acknowledgement Contents About the Editors Abbreviations 1: An Introduction to Extremes in Atmospheric Processes and Phenomena: Assessment, Impacts and Mitigation 1.1 General Introduction 1.2 Summary of Chapters 1.3 Conclusions References 2: Atmospheric Phenomena: Origin, Mechanism, and Impacts 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Atmospheric Phenomena and Mechanism 2.2.1 Hydrometeor 2.2.1.1 Suspended Particle 2.2.1.2 Precipitation 2.2.1.3 Spout 2.2.2 Lithometeor 2.2.2.1 Haze 2.2.2.2 Blowing Dust 2.3 Impacts of Hydrometeors and Lithometeors on Human Society 2.4 Conclusion References 3: Air Pollution and Its Associated Impacts on Atmosphere and Biota Health 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Air Pollutants: Types and Sources 3.3 Air Pollution and Its Impacts on the Atmosphere 3.3.1 Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming 3.3.2 Stratospheric Ozone Depletion 3.3.3 Atmospheric Deposition and Acid Rain 3.3.4 Suppression of Rainfall 3.3.5 Visibility Reduction 3.4 Impacts on Biota Health 3.4.1 Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) 3.4.2 Oxides of Nitrogen 3.4.3 Ground Level Ozone 3.4.4 Suspended Particulate Matter 3.4.5 Fluorides 3.4.6 Peroxyacyl Nitrates 3.5 Impacts of Air Pollutants on Human Health 3.6 Conclusions References 4: South Asian Monsoon Extremes and Climate Change 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Semi-permanent Features of Monsoon 4.2.1 Heat Low 4.2.2 Monsoon Trough 4.2.3 Tibetan Anticyclone 4.2.4 Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ) 4.2.5 Mascarene High (MH) 4.2.6 Somali Low-Level Jet (LLJ) 4.3 Phases of Monsoon 4.3.1 Onset of Monsoon 4.3.2 Monsoon Advance 4.3.3 Withdrawal of SW Monsoon 4.4 Intra-seasonal Variations/Active and Break Spells 4.5 Extremities in South Asian Monsoon 4.6 Regional Trends in Monsoon 4.7 ENSO, IOD and MJO Links with Monsoon 4.8 Climate Change and Global Warming Impacts 4.8.1 Remedial Measures 4.8.2 Impact of South Asia Monsoon on Society 4.9 Summary References 5: Contribution of Fog in Changing Air Quality: Extremities and Risks to Environment and Society 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Fog 5.3 Types of Fog 5.3.1 Fog Formed Through the Addition of Water Vapour 5.3.1.1 Steam Fog 5.3.1.2 Frontal Fog 5.3.2 Fog Formed by Cooling 5.3.2.1 Radiation Fog Advection-Radiation Fog High Inversion Fog 5.3.2.2 Advection Fog 5.3.2.3 Upslope Fog 5.3.2.4 Mixing Fog 5.4 World Distribution of Fog 5.4.1 Northern India Fog 5.5 Characterization of Fog 5.5.1 Microphysical Structure of Fog 5.5.2 Haze to Fog Transition 5.5.3 Chemical Composition of Fog 5.6 Factor for Fog Formation 5.6.1 Meteorological Condition 5.6.2 Role of Aerosol 5.7 Fog as an Extreme Event: Causes and Impacts 5.7.1 Fog as an Extreme Event 5.7.2 Causes 5.7.3 Impacts 5.7.4 Effect on Air Quality 5.7.4.1 Effect on Pollutant Concentration 5.7.4.2 Visibility 5.7.5 Effect on Transport System 5.7.5.1 Traffic Accidents 5.7.6 Economic Impact 5.7.7 Health Effect 5.7.7.1 Fog and Chest Infection 5.7.8 Wireless Communication 5.7.9 Impact on Vegetation 5.8 Conclusion References 6: Nature of Sand and Dust Storm in South Asian Region: Extremities and Environmental Impacts 6.1 Introduction 6.1.1 Dust Storms: a Global Phenomenon and a Transboundary Hazard 6.1.2 How SDS Act as Extreme Event? 6.2 Sand and Dust Storm Processes 6.3 Drivers of Sand and Dust Storm 6.3.1 Natural Drivers 6.3.2 Anthropogenic Drivers 6.4 State and Trends of SDS 6.5 Geography of Dust Storms in South Asia 6.5.1 India 6.5.2 Pakistan 6.5.3 Afghanistan 6.6 SDS Hazards and Their Impacts 6.6.1 Impacts on Ocean and Its Productivity 6.6.2 Impact of SDS on Air Quality 6.6.3 Human Health Impacts 6.6.3.1 Cardio-respiratory Diseases 6.6.3.2 Valley Fever 6.6.3.3 Eye and Skin Infections 6.6.4 Economic Impacts 6.7 Climate Change and SDS Events 6.7.1 Positive and Negative Forcing and SDS 6.7.2 Connection Between SDS and Climate Change 6.8 Conclusion References 7: Assessment of Heat and Cold Waves Phenomena and Impacts on Environment 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Heat Waves 7.2.1 Defining Heat Waves 7.2.2 Generation of Heat Waves 7.2.2.1 Atmospheric Characteristics 7.2.3 Climate Change and Heat Waves 7.2.4 Urban-Scale Aspects of Heat Waves 7.2.4.1 Heat Waves and Urban Heat Island Effect 7.2.4.2 Heat Waves and Air Quality 7.2.5 Impacts of Heat Waves and Mitigation Strategies 7.2.5.1 Human Health 7.2.5.2 Energy Sector and Infrastructure 7.2.5.3 Other Aspects 7.2.5.4 Mitigation Strategies 7.3 Cold Waves 7.4 Case Study of Heat Wave 7.5 Conclusions References 8: Intense Biomass Burning Over Northern India and Its Impact on Air Quality, Chemistry and Climate 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Major Sources of Intense Biomass Burning in Northern India 8.3 Extreme Biomass Burning 8.4 Biomass Burning-Induced Elevated Levels of Aerosols and Trace Gases 8.4.1 Particulate Matter (PM) 8.4.2 Carbonaceous Aerosols 8.4.3 Ozone 8.4.4 Ozone Precursors 8.5 Impacts of Intense Biomass Burning 8.5.1 Air Quality 8.5.2 Chemistry 8.5.3 Climate and Weather 8.5.3.1 Impact on Aerosol Characteristics and Radiative Forcing 8.5.3.2 Impact over Himalayan Region 8.6 Summary References 9: Rising Extreme Event of Smog in Northern India: Problems and Challenges 9.1 Introduction 9.2 North-India ́s Crowning Glory or Not? 9.3 Smog Events over Northern India 9.4 Challenges: Problems and Allied Impacts 9.4.1 Industrial and Vehicular Emissions 9.4.2 Crop Residue Burning 9.4.3 Natural Processes 9.4.4 Road Dust, Construction, and Demolition 9.4.5 Lack of Source Identification Studies 9.4.6 Inefficient Waste Management 9.4.7 Impacts 9.4.7.1 Health Impacts 9.4.8 Visibility Reduction 9.4.9 Economic Losses 9.4.10 Agricultural Loss 9.5 Conclusion References 10: Volcanic Emissions: Causes, Impacts, and Its Extremities 10.1 Introduction 10.1.1 Types of Volcanoes 10.1.1.1 On the Basis of Activity 10.1.1.2 On the Basis of Structure 10.2 Causes of Volcanic Emissions 10.2.1 Plate Tectonics 10.2.1.1 Crustal Plates 10.2.1.2 Plate Boundaries 10.3 Emissions from Volcanoes 10.3.1 Volcanic Material 10.4 Impacts of Volcanic Emissions 10.4.1 Radiative Forcing 10.4.2 Impact on Ozone 10.4.3 Acid Rain 10.4.4 Impact on Aviation 10.4.5 Environment and Health 10.4.6 Volcano and ENSO Relation 10.5 Impacts and Extremities 10.5.1 Mount Pinatubo: A Case Study 10.6 Summary References 11: Assessment of Extreme Firework Episode in a Coastal City of Southern India: Kannur as a Case Study 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Description of Monitoring Site 11.3 Results and Discussion 11.3.1 Variation of Surface O3 11.3.2 Variation of Oxides of Nitrogen 11.3.3 Variation of CO and SO2 11.3.4 Diurnal Variation of BTEX and NH3 11.3.5 Variation of PM10 and PM2.5 11.3.6 Variation of Metal Concentrations Associated with Particulate Matters 11.4 Conclusion References 12: Air Pollution Episodes: Brief History, Mechanisms and Outlook 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Global Distribution of Air Pollution 12.3 Major Historical Episodes and Impacts 12.4 Important Mechanisms and Challenges 12.5 Some Perspectives on Control Measures and Outlook 12.6 Summary References 13: Increasing Atmospheric Extreme Events and Role of Disaster Risk Management: Dimensions and Approaches 13.1 Background 13.2 Atmospheric Dynamics and Feedbacks 13.3 Increase in Frequency and Intensity of Atmospheric Extremes 13.3.1 Large-Scale Atmospheric Extremes 13.3.1.1 Heat and Cold Waves 13.3.1.2 Precipitation Modification 13.3.1.3 Droughts 13.3.1.4 Dust Storms 13.3.1.5 Forest Fires and Biomass Burning 13.3.2 Regional and Local-Scale Atmospheric Extremes 13.3.2.1 Urban Heat Island and CO2 Domes 13.3.2.2 Extreme Precipitation Events and Urban Flooding 13.3.2.3 Crop Residue Burning and Smog 13.4 Vulnerability to Disaster 13.5 Disaster Risk Management 13.5.1 Scientific Dimensions and Decision Support Systems 13.5.2 Disaster Risk Reduction, Mitigation and Adaptation 13.5.3 Early Warning Systems and Post-disaster Management 13.6 Summary References 14: Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response for Air Pollution and Related Health Extremes 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Air Pollution Risks and Episodes 14.3 Air Pollution as Disaster and Its Preparedness 14.4 Air Pollution Emergency Causes 14.4.1 Dense Fog and Smog 14.4.2 Chemical/Industrial Accidents 14.4.3 Dust and Sand Storms 14.4.4 Urban Air Pollution 14.4.5 Biomass Burning 14.4.6 Forest Fire 14.5 Air Pollution as Public Health Emergency 14.6 Existing Policies and Recommendations 14.7 Integrated Approach to Deal with Air Pollution as Disaster 14.8 Conclusion References 15: Cost-Effective Technologies for Control of Air Pollution and Atmospheric-Related Extremes 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Air Pollution Management 15.2.1 Step 1: Emissions Definition 15.2.2 Step 2: Define the Target Groups 15.2.3 Step 3: Determination of Acceptable Exposure Levels 15.2.4 Step 4: Select Controls 15.3 Technological Control Measures for Air Pollutants 15.3.1 Particulate Matter Control 15.3.1.1 Cyclone 15.3.1.2 Wet Scrubber 15.3.1.3 Electrostatic Precipitators 15.3.1.4 Fabric Filtration 15.3.2 Gaseous Pollutants Control 15.3.2.1 Adsorption 15.3.2.2 Absorption 15.3.2.3 Condensation 15.3.2.4 Incineration 15.3.2.5 Carbon Sequestration 15.3.2.6 Biological System 15.3.2.7 Bio Filter 15.3.2.8 Bio Scrubber 15.3.3 Control of Air Pollution by Cost-Effective Technologies 15.3.3.1 Phytoremediation of Air Pollutants Particulate Matter (PM) 15.3.3.2 Inorganic Pollutants NOX SO2 15.3.3.3 Organic Pollutants Formaldehyde 15.4 Air Pollution, Climate Change, and Atmospheric Extremes 15.5 Control Technologies for Atmosphere Extreme Events 15.5.1 Wildfire Control Technologies 15.5.2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 15.5.3 Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) Technique 15.5.4 Spacecraft Technique 15.5.5 High-Tech Sensor and Camera Devices 15.6 Sustainable Control Technology for Atmospheric Extreme Events 15.6.1 Carbon Dioxide Technology 15.7 Climate Implications of Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) 15.8 SDS Hazards 15.9 Control of Wind Erosion on Cropland 15.10 Control of Wind Erosion on Rangeland 15.11 Controlling Blowing Sand and Mobile Desert Dunes 15.12 Control of Wind Erosion at Mining Operations 15.13 Impact Mitigation of SDS and Its Policies 15.14 Conclusion References 16: Ecological and Natural-Based Solutions as Green Growth Strategies for Disaster and Emergency Management of Air Pollution E... 16.1 Introduction 16.1.1 Air Pollution and Its Threats 16.1.2 Air Pollution: A Brief on Global and National Scenario 16.2 Factors That Influence Air Pollution 16.3 Air Pollution Extremes 16.3.1 Fog 16.3.2 Smog 16.3.3 Sand and Dust Storms 16.4 Mitigating Air Pollution 16.4.1 Air Pollution Risk Reduction and Management 16.4.2 Green Strategies to Reduce Air Pollution 16.4.2.1 Greening Cities to Mitigate Extreme Air Pollution 16.4.2.2 Afforestation 16.4.2.3 Green Belt Development Planning 16.4.2.4 Vertical Gardening 16.5 Selection of Plants 16.6 Conclusion References 17: Policy Implications and Mitigation Strategies for Air Pollution and Atmospheric Extreme Events 17.1 Introduction 17.2 Global Actions Toward Air Pollution Control 17.2.1 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) 17.2.1.1 Helsinki Protocol for Reduction of Sulfur Emissions 17.2.1.2 Sofia Protocol for the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or Their Transboundary Fluxes 17.2.1.3 The 1999 Gothenburg Protocol 17.2.2 Montreal Protocol 17.2.3 UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms 17.2.3.1 World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System (SDS-WAS) 17.3 India-Specific Policy Response 17.3.1 The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) 17.3.2 National Clean Air Program (NCAP) 17.3.2.1 Structure and Functioning 17.3.2.2 Challenges 17.3.2.3 Key Takeaways 17.3.3 Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region (NCR) 17.3.3.1 National Policy for Management of Crop Residues 17.3.3.2 Way Forward References 18: Participatory and Collaborative Governance Approach for Management of Atmospheric Processes-Related Extremities 18.1 Introduction 18.2 Rationale and Objective 18.3 Atmospheric Extremities 18.4 Participatory and Collaborative Governance Model 18.5 Models of Different Countries/Regions 18.5.1 European Union (EU) Model of Air Quality Management 18.5.2 China Model of Air Pollution Control 18.5.3 Indian Scenario of Participatory Governance 18.6 Conclusion and Recommendations References Websites Glossary