Organic molecular tracers in the atmospheric aerosols from Lumbini, Nepal, in the northern Indo-Gangetic Plain: influence of biomass burning

Biomass burning significantly impacts atmospheric aerosols in Lumbini, Nepal, particularly during post-monsoon and winter seasons. The study identified high concentrations of organic molecular tracers like levoglucosan (2206 ± 1753 ng/m³) and other biomarkers, indicating strong contributions from crop residue and hardwood burning. These findings suggest that local agricultural practices and residential biomass usage, alongside regional emissions—such as rice residue burning in western India and eastern Pakistan—dramatically influence air quality in the northern Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). The research highlights the need for coordinated mitigation efforts across multiple regions to reduce biomass burning emissions effectively.

Wan, X., Kang, S., Li, Q., Rupakheti, D., Zhang, Q., Guo, J., Chen, P., Tripathee, L., Rupakheti, M., Panday, A. K., Wang, W., Kawamura, K., Gao, S., Wu, G., & Cong, Z. (2017). Organic molecular tracers in the atmospheric aerosols from Lumbini, Nepal, in the northern Indo-Gangetic Plain: influence of biomass burning. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 17(14), 8867–8885. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-8867-2017