Changing Natural Processes: Earth’s Atmosphere

Click HERE to view an interactive map of current (real-time) air pollution patterns across the world. This map is an isoline map that shows places with the highest levels of air pollution in red/purple. Note the role of wind in taking a local problem (air pollution source) and then turning it into a regional problem by spreading the air pollution to a larger area.

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/146362/airborne-nitrogen-dioxide-plummets-over-china

https://www.maproomblog.com/2020/03/emissions-drop-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak/?fbclid=IwAR3iF_hbvEPUGSoy7mZWmjvOcaxa4o-6ww7_sY54_boeS-sXDDT-uty4Nq8

https://youtu.be/ARpxtAKsORw

Case Study: Air Pollution in India
In South Asia, a major environmental issue is air pollution in the New Delhi metro region, which is the sprawling, urban core of the Ganges River Valley and the capital of India (see video below). The shifting seasonal wind patterns (monsoon) changes the amount of pollution in the air throughout the year. Some of the air pollution is natural as sand and dust are moved by the winds from the drier parts of South Asia found to the west of Delhi. Also to the west is the Punjab region of India, which is a core agricultural area that uses the agricultural techniques used is fire, which adds to the air pollution problem.

The burning of fossil fuels in India has increased as one might expect in a country with increasing manufacturing, industry, and automobile ownership. In fact, the high number of automobiles on the streets of Delhi led to the local government's attempt to design a commuter plan to lessen the number of cars. This scheme meant that if your license plate ended in an odd number, you could only drive on “odd” numbered days and vice versa for even numbered plates. In China, there has been a recent reduction in acid rain. Meanwhile, in Indiana, there has been an increase in acid rain in India, so some have argued India has the worst air pollution problem in the world.

Returning to the I = P x A x T formula, the large population size is a key environmental challenge in India. A rapidly affluent India means the average person now has a better chance at being able to purchase an automobile. Perhaps you recall me mentioning Tata Motors and their Nano earlier in this lecture.

The following video from The Economist further explains the air pollution problem in Delhi. Keep in mind, as you watch this video, it occurs in the northwestern part of India. In January, it can be very cold there since it is farther to the north but also highly continental, meaning the temperatures can be quite cool. The video was shot during an especially cold day.