What I do?

Emission source characterization through in-situ and laboratory experiments, and their secondary aerosol formation potential

Source apportionment of atmospheric aerosols

Real-time quantitative measurements of gas and particle phase ambient constituents using mass spectrometry

Investigation of physico-chemical and hygroscopic properties of atmospheric aerosols

Long-term monitoring and trend analysis of pollutant concentrations to understand the changes in emissions, atmospheric chemistry and effectiveness of regulatory measures

Why I do?
The majority of the global population gets exposed to fine particulate matter concentrations higher than allowable limits. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is the world's largest environmental health risk leading to premature deaths (~7 million) every year. Atmospheric aerosols are the key constituents of polluted air responsible for inducing disturbance in Earth's radiative energy balance, impaired visibility (white sky instead of blue), acid deposition and photochemical smog, and impacting cloud properties and precipitation. Our lack of understanding of atmospheric aerosols is a serious concern as they play a crucial role in controlling climate, driving atmospheric chemistry, and contributing to air pollution problems worldwide.

To achieve comprehensive understanding of conventional and non-conventional pollution sources,

Bridge the knowledge gaps in fundamental atmospheric processes,

Improve predictive capabilities, and

eventually Assist regulatory agencies to frame better targetted environmental policies aiming realistically low pollution levels, it is crucial to connect the chemical composition and severity of particulate matter (PM) pollution to its sources.

Near-molecular level chemical composition and physical and optical properties of aerosols can reflect their anthropogenic or biogenic origins (e.g. fossil fuel combustion; forest, residential and wildfire burning; industrial emissions, and others) and transformation during transport and aid in predicting their ultimate fate in the atmosphere. Field campaigns and experiments under controlled laboratory environment are the ways forward to reduce and understand such high dimensional space of pollutants and their complex atmospheric interactions.