Retrieval of green house gases using satellite data
By realizing the impacts of trace and greenhouse gases in air quality and radiation budget, it is necessary to have measurements of these gases with sufficient spatial coverage. Satellite remote sensing enables retrieval of trace and greenhouse gases over large regions to estimate their effects on earth atmosphere and contribution in climate change. Spatial distribution of abundance of these gases can be used to identify their major source regions and also to estimate long term trends in their concentration.
Aerosol characterization and its impact on solar radiation
Atmospheric aerosols, one of the major climate forcing agents, affect earth atmosphere radiation balance through aerosol radiation interactions and aerosol cloud interactions. Despite the efforts being carried out for past few decades, atmospheric aerosol remains one of the major sources of uncertainty in climate forcing estimates. Better understanding of aerosol impacts on weather and climate demands adequate incorporation of aerosol parameters in climate models, which needs accurate measurements of aerosol characteristics.
Impact of aerosol on agricultural productivity
Atmospheric aerosols alter energy balance of the earth atmosphere system through scattering and absorption of radiation and also by modifying cloud properties. Through scattering and absorption, atmospheric aerosols reduce surface reaching solar radiation, which in turn affect agricultural production. In addition aerosols affect large scale circulation systems such as Indian summer monsoon and associated rainfall. Changes in rainfall will have significant effect on agricultural production.
