Comparative Analysis of Air Quality Index in Relation to Crop Residue Burning and Industrial Pollution in Punjab

Abstract

The stubble burning is considered as the major air pollution contributor during the month of October and November, in Northern parts of India. Due to the fact that it corresponds with the burning seasons, the terrible haze seen over India in the winter has been connected to stubble burning (October-November). The situation is more critical in Punjab as the farmers have adopted extensive Rice-Wheat cropping system which leads to accumulation of stubble at large scale. The major gaseous pollutants generated due to stubble burning and industrial pollution are carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO2), sulfur oxides (SO2), and methane (CH4) as well as particulate matters (PM10 and PM2.5) causing serious issues to human health and the environment. Present study was planned to determine the impact of stubble burning on air quality parameter among industrial, moderately industrial and non-industrial area. It was reported that concentrations of particulate matters PM2.5 and PM10 in air was increasing with increasing in burning events in all the districts studied. Whereas increasing trend of NH3 and NO2 concentration in Ludhiana and NH3 in Bathinda district may be due the impact of crop residue burning along with industrial pollution. If managed properly, crop stubbles might offer farmers significant economic rewards and safeguard the environment from serious contamination. Present results showed that burning of rice crop residue significantly contributes to air pollution in Punjab.