Correlating volcanic emissions from Andaman-Sumatra region to atmospheric pollution in Delhi: A possible scenario

Abstract

• Causes of whales stranding and Delhi pollution investigated using integrated data • Stranding of whales coincides with time of earthquake and underwater volcanism • Toxic materials from volcanic eruptions lead to increased air and ocean pollution • Prominent cyclonic events are also intimately connected to volcanism • Volcanism-related air pollution affected the human health in Indian sub-continent In the recent past there have been several incidences when large number of whales got stranded and died along the coastal areas of various continents, including India, causes of which are relatively unknown. We have investigated the possible causes of such incidences, based on the analysis of available seismological and GPS data. The time of occurrence of earthquakes of relatively larger magnitude, is found to correspond with the changes in Zenith Total Delay (ZTD). Similarly, stranding of the whales appears to coincide with the time of the underwater volcanism, for example in the Andaman region. The change in ZTD appears to be caused by the increase in the water vapor in the troposphere, as observed in one of the events (Nilam cyclone) in the Bay-of-Bengal region during October 2016. During this volcanic activity, the temperature and toxic contaminated materials from the volcanic eruptions, increased in the surrounding ocean which apparently killed the whales. The volcanic gaseous vents, through which the toxic gases emanated, seems to have apparently affected the whale's lungs. Subsequently, toxic substances which were present in water, severely affected their body organ functions, as the food intake takes place via their skin. Whales have an oxygen rich body, therefore, when lungs are not functioning properly, they may lose the oxygen and gain mass that causes their movement towards the shore. Thus, the influence of underwater volcanic activity, appeared to be a likely cause that led to the demise of sea animals. We also find that the prominent cyclonic events like ‘Ockhi’ which too have an intimate relationship with volcanism, caused severe air pollution that affected the health of the mankind residing in different parts of the Indian sub-continent, especially Delhi and nearby regions.