Estimates of spatially and temporally resolved constrained black carbon emission over the Indian region using a strategic integrated modelling approach

• Published in: Atmospheric research 2017-10, Vol.195, p.9-19
• Main Authors: Verma, S., Reddy, D. Manigopal, Ghosh, S., Kumar, D. Bharath, Chowdhury, A. Kundu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Black carbon; Bottom-up and top-down emissions; Emission inventory; GCM simulation; Monthly BC emission flux; Receptor modelling approach; z score distribution
• ISSN: 0169-8095; 1873-2895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2017.05.007

We estimated the latest spatially and temporally resolved gridded constrained black carbon (BC) emissions over the Indian region using a strategic integrated modelling approach. This was done extracting information on initial bottom-up emissions and atmospheric BC concentration from a general circulation model (GCM) simulation in conjunction with the receptor modelling approach. Monthly BC emission (83–364Gg) obtained from the present study exhibited a spatial and temporal variability with this being the highest (lowest) during February (July). Monthly BC emission flux was considerably high (>100kgkm−2) over the entire Indo-Gangetic plain (IGP), east and the west coast during winter months. This was relatively higher over the central and western India than over the IGP during summer months. Annual BC emission rate was 2534Gg y−1 with that over the IGP and central India respectively comprising 50% and 40% of the total annual BC emissions over India. A high relative increase was observed in modified BC emissions (more than five times the initial emissions) over the most part of the IGP, east coast, central/northwestern India. The relative predominance of monthly BC emission flux over a region (as depicted from z-score distribution maps) was inferred being consistent with the prevalence of region- and season-specific anthropogenic activity. •Latest gridded constrained BC emissions over the Indian region in a strategic integrated modelling approach•Monthly BC emissions high over the IGP (central/western India) throughout (March/April)•Updated BC emissions over IGP (central India) mostly 4–6 (8–10) times the initial emissions•IGP (central India) comprised 50% (40%) of the total annual mean BC emissions over India.•z-score indicated enhanced BC emissions attributable to specific anthropogenic activities.