Interactions between stubble burning, air pollution, and atmospheric dynamics in the Trans Indo-Gangetic Plain: implications for climate and air quality management (2001–2020)

Stubble burning in the Trans Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) significantly contributes to air pollution, posing severe threats to human health and the environment. This study investigates the interactions between stubble burning, vegetation productivity, atmospheric loading, and wind anomalies across the Trans Indo-Gangetic Plain using MODIS burned-area and gross primary productivity products, TerraClimate wind fields, MERRA-2 aerosol reanalysis, and AIRS carbon monoxide retrievals. Burned area, vegetation productivity, aerosol loading, and wind variability were analysed for the period 2001–2020, whereas AIRS-derived CO was analysed for 2002 to 2020. Our analysis reveals a 107% increase in Kharif burned area, from 11,630 km 2 in 2002 to 24,053 km 2 in 2015. Aerosol loading reached peak values of 8.68 in 2002 and 8.66 in 2018, indicating periods of elevated atmospheric particulate burden. Carbon monoxide levels also exhibited distinct seasonal variations, peaking at 137.22 parts per billion in 2009 during the Zaid season. The study highlights marked seasonal variations in wind speed, particularly in winter and spring, which influence pollutant dispersion and accumulation and may worsen air quality in urban centres such as Delhi. These findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions that incorporate meteorological dynamics into air quality models. Promoting sustainable farming practices, such as crop rotation, zero-tillage farming, and bioenergy generation from agricultural waste, is crucial for mitigating the environmental impacts of stubble burning. This research provides critical insights for developing data-driven strategies to improve air quality and promote environmental sustainability in the Trans IGP region.