The major research interests of our group are the following:

1) Aerosol climate forcing agents

We study aerosol black and brown carbon (BC and BrC) and humic-like substances (HULIS) using coupled chemical-optical approaches to understand their sources, atmospheric processing and effects on regional climate. Currently, we are looking into aerosol climate forcing in the Norwegian Arctic as part of the Indian Arctic Expedition, in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain, and in the northwestern Himalayas.

Some relevant papers: Rana et al., (2023; Atmos. Environ); Dey et al., (2023; Sci. Total Environ.); Rawat et al., (2022, Env Sci. Pollut. Res); Rana et al., (2019; Atmos. Res); Rana et al., (2020; Sci. Total. Environ.); Mukherjee et al., (2020, Environ. Pollut.); Dey et al., (2021, Environ. Sci. Process. Impacts)

2) Source apportionment of fine-mode aerosol and other pollutants

We chemically speciate fine mode aerosol and employ receptor models for quantitative source apportionment, especially for biomass burning and industrial emissions. Our major focus so far has been on the eastern IGP and SE Asia. Currently, we are planning to characterize biomass burning and biogenic emissions in the Himalayan context.

Some relevant papers: Lan et al., (2021, Environ. Pollut.); Mao et al., (2021, Elemen. Sci. Anthrop.); Kolakkandi et al., (2020; Sci. Total Environ.); Tham et al., (2019, Environ. Pollut.); Sarkar et al., (2018; Sci. Total Environ.)

3) Population exposure to aerosols and disease burden

We characterize human exposure to size-segregated aerosols in outdoor and indoor settings, and employ particle deposition models to estimate respiratory tract deposition. We are actively involved in studying exposure from residential fuel use in NE India (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh), the northwestern Himalayas (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand), and the Indo-Gangetic Plains.

Some relevant papers: Sharma et al., (2023; Sci. Total Environ.); Jia et al., (2020; Sci. Total Environ., 2021; Environ. Pollut.).

4) Other research directions

• Aerosol acidity, its neutralization and secondary organic carbon: Sharma et al., (2022; Chemosphere); Zhang et al., (2019; Sci. Total Environ.); Jia et al., (2018; Atmos. Chem. Phys.); Jia et al., (2018; Chemosphere); Long-term ozone profiles: Chen et al., (2020; Atmos. Environ); Satellite- and model-based evaluation of aerosol profiles: Zhang et al., (2023; Sci. Total Environ,); Rawat et al., (2019; Atmos. Environ.); Reconstruction of historical pollutant deposition in lake sediments: Sarkar et al., (2015; J. Geophys. Res. Atmos)