Sway of aerosol on Atmospheric Boundary Layer influencing air pollution of Delhi

Aerosols influence the development of Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) ensuing aggravated air pollution in megacities. ABL Height (ABLH) and Ventilation coefficient (VC) are key aspects in the pollution study that determines the vertical extent of dispersion of pollutants. To address the intricate, multi-sectoral problem of air pollution, a cogent and considerable approach of evaluating the influence of aerosol on ABLH is vital. The data from 2019 –2021 over Delhi, presents quantitative evaluation of radiation effect of aerosol on ABL. The study demonstrates qualitatively that high aerosol loading lowers the ABLH, consecutively causes further increase in aerosol and PM2.5. Lowering of ABLH subsequently lowers the VC. The influence of aerosol on ABL and radiative forcing (RF) is critiqued with correlation coefficient (R) as −0.17 and − 0.37 respectively. The cooling effect of the surface is enhanced as Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) rises, further impeding the development of ABL. Further, through the interdependence between Single Scattering Albedo (SSA) and ABLH, it is speculated that the absorbing aerosols (AA) tend to increase the stability, ultimately leading to lower ABLH. Assessing the link between ABL and air pollution is vital not only for preventing and combating aerosol emissions in Delhi, but also for accurate air quality prediction and numerical weather prediction.