A new study revealed Sundarbans face a complex array of challenges affecting their air quality, including their unique geographical position, diverse weather patterns, and socioeconomic factors.
About the Study:
- The study was conducted by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and Bose Institute, Kolkata.
- It focused on the impact of pollutants, enriched with black carbon or soot, originating from the Kolkata metropolis and the broader Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) on the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem.
- Analyzed the effects of aerosol acidity and oxidative potential on the mangrove ecosystem.
Key Findings of the Study:
- Pollutants from both local and regional sources significantly affect the Sundarbans’ ecology and biogeochemistry.
- Despite its sparse population, oxidative stress levels in the Sundarbans due to PM 2.5 pollutants are as severe as in many urban areas.
- The unique geographical position, diverse weather patterns, socioeconomic factors, and pollutant transport from neighboring cities contribute to a decline in air quality, particularly during winter.
- The Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem plays a critical role in climate change mitigation by acting as a net absorber of greenhouse gases, surpassing even the Amazon rainforest in its capacity.
- Air pollution induces stress that disrupts the ecological equilibrium between the mangroves and the Bay of Bengal, impacting the ecosystem’s ability to protect against natural disasters and safeguard surrounding areas.
Ref: Source
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