Project Period: 2005–2008
Status: Completed
Role: Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)
Collaborators: JAMES, TEC-Japan, PRL, JASTEC (Japan)
Funding: Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN)
The Asian Ozone Pollution in Eurasian Perspective project, funded by the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN), was a collaborative research initiative conducted from 2005 to 2008. This project aimed to investigate the sources, transport, and impacts of tropospheric ozone pollution across Asia, with a focus on its implications for regional air quality and global climate dynamics. By integrating multidisciplinary expertise from leading institutions in Japan, including TEC-Japan, PRL, and JASTEC, alongside international partners, the project provided critical insights into the transboundary nature of ozone pollution and its broader Eurasian context.
To quantify the sources and sinks of tropospheric ozone in Asia, identifying key emission drivers such as industrial activity, biomass burning, and vehicular emissions.
To assess the long-range transport of ozone and its precursors across the Eurasian continent, including cross-border influences.
To evaluate the impacts of ozone pollution on human health, agricultural productivity, and regional climate systems.
To develop policy-relevant recommendations for mitigating ozone pollution in Asia, fostering international cooperation.
As Co-Principal Investigator, I collaborated with a team of scientists from Japan and other international partners to design and implement field campaigns, atmospheric modeling, and data analysis. My responsibilities included coordinating research activities, ensuring data quality, and contributing to the development of predictive models for ozone transport. The project leveraged advanced remote sensing and ground-based monitoring techniques to generate robust datasets, which were used to inform regional air quality management strategies.
The project successfully mapped ozone concentration patterns across Asia, highlighting significant transboundary pollution flows. Key findings were published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences, contributing to the global understanding of ozone dynamics. The results also informed policy frameworks for air quality management in the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing the need for coordinated emission control measures.
Project Period: 2021–2024
Status: Ongoing
Role: Principal Investigator (PI)
Collaborators: UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Funding: UKCEH, UKRI (United Kingdom)
The South Asian Nitrogen Hub (SANH) is an ongoing, high-impact research initiative funded by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Launched in 2021 and set to conclude in 2024, SANH addresses the complex challenges of nitrogen pollution in South Asia, a region facing significant environmental and socio-economic pressures due to excessive nitrogen use in agriculture, industry, and energy production. The project brings together a consortium of researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to develop sustainable nitrogen management strategies.
To assess the sources, cycling, and impacts of reactive nitrogen compounds in South Asia, including ammonia, nitrates, and nitrous oxides.
To quantify the environmental, health, and agricultural consequences of nitrogen pollution, with a focus on air quality, water contamination, and soil degradation.
To foster regional collaboration for the development of evidence-based policies and practices to optimize nitrogen use and minimize environmental harm.
To build capacity among local researchers and institutions for long-term nitrogen management.
As Principal Investigator, I lead the strategic direction of the SANH project, overseeing research design, data integration, and stakeholder engagement. My role involves coordinating interdisciplinary teams across South Asia and the UK, ensuring alignment with project goals, and facilitating knowledge exchange between academic, governmental, and community partners. I also contribute to the development of innovative nitrogen monitoring techniques and the application of modeling tools to predict pollution trends.
The SANH project has made significant progress in mapping nitrogen pollution hotspots in South Asia, providing critical data for policymakers. Preliminary findings have highlighted the role of agricultural practices in driving nitrogen emissions and identified actionable interventions to reduce environmental impacts. The project has also strengthened regional research networks, fostering collaboration among South Asian institutions and international partners. Final results, expected in 2024, will be disseminated through publications, policy briefs, and regional workshops to support sustainable nitrogen management.
Project Period: 2017–2021
Status: Ongoing
Role: Principal Investigator (PI)
Collaborators: Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (India), Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UK), University of Manchester (UK), University of York (UK)
Funding: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES, India)
The Megacity Delhi Atmospheric Emission Quantification Assessment and Impact (Delhi-Flux) project, funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), India, is an ongoing research effort launched in 2017 and continuing through 2021. This initiative focuses on quantifying atmospheric emissions in Delhi, one of the world’s most polluted megacities, to understand the sources, composition, and impacts of air pollutants. By collaborating with prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and leading UK partners, including the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, University of Manchester, and University of York, the project aims to provide actionable insights for improving air quality and public health in urban environments.
To quantify the emissions of key atmospheric pollutants in Delhi, including particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
To assess the sources of pollution, such as vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and biomass burning, and their contributions to Delhi’s air quality crisis.
To evaluate the health, environmental, and climatic impacts of atmospheric emissions in the National Capital Region (NCR).
To develop evidence-based strategies for air pollution mitigation, supporting policy interventions and urban planning in Delhi.
As Principal Investigator, I lead the Delhi-Flux project, overseeing the design and execution of field measurements, emission inventories, and atmospheric modeling. My responsibilities include coordinating interdisciplinary research teams across India and the UK, ensuring data accuracy, and fostering collaboration among academic and governmental stakeholders. I also contribute to the development of advanced analytical techniques, such as flux measurements and source apportionment, to provide a comprehensive understanding of Delhi’s pollution dynamics.
The Delhi-Flux project has made significant strides in quantifying emission sources in Delhi, identifying key contributors such as vehicular traffic and seasonal biomass burning. Preliminary results have provided critical data for policymakers, supporting the development of targeted air quality interventions. The project has also facilitated knowledge exchange between Indian and UK institutions, enhancing research capacity in atmospheric science. Ongoing work, expected to conclude in 2021, will deliver comprehensive emission inventories and policy recommendations to address Delhi’s air pollution challenges.