Impact of Aerosol Hygroscopicity on Pollution and Haze Formation in Delhi, India

Delhi, one of the world's most polluted megacities, experiences severe haze and fog episodes, especially in winter, critically impacted by aerosol hygroscopicity. This study analyzes aerosol hygroscopic growth and composition with a focus on the dominant role of ammonium chloride in enhancing aerosol liquid water content (ALWC), thereby exacerbating particulate pollution, reducing visibility, and affecting atmospheric processes. Utilizing detailed field measurements from winter campaigns, the research highlights how chloriderich aerosols influence Delhi's air quality and outlines implications for pollution mitigation [Mandariya et al., 2024; Chen et al., 2022; Gunthe et al., 2021].