Lack of a consistent PM (particulate matter smaller than 10 μm) database at high spatial resolution hinders in assessing the environmental impact of PM in India. Here we propose an alternate approach to estimate the PM database. Aerosol extinction coefficients at the surface are calculated from midvisible aerosol optical depth from MERRA-2 reanalysis data using characteristics vertical profiles from CALIOP and then are converted to PM mass using aerosol property information and microphysical data. The retrieved PM are bias-corrected and evaluated ( R = 0.85) against coincident ground-based data maintained under the Central Pollution Control Board network. PM exposure exceeds Indian annual air quality standard in 72.3% districts. Transition in PM exposure from the monsoon (Jun-Sep) to postmonsoon season (Oct-Nov) translates to 1-2% higher all-cause mortality risk over the polluted Indo-Gangetic Basin (IGB). Mortality risk increases in the central to eastern IGB and central India and reduces in Delhi national capital region in the winter (Dec-Feb) relative to the postmonsoon season. Mortality risk decreases by 0.5-1.8% in most parts of India in the premonsoon season (Mar-May). Our results quantify the vulnerability in terms of seasonal transition in all-cause mortality risks due to PM exposure at district level for the first time in India.

<p>The impact of elevated ozone concentration on crop yield, like wheat, plays a significant role yet is poorly studied in Asian countries like China and India. We have developed, calibrated, and tested a mechanistic photosynthetic-stomatal conductance canopy model (DO3SE-crop) with an integrated ozone module (Anet-gsto+O3) for the region of Xiaoji, China. The key component of the model development involves phenology, leaf scale processes, leaf-to-canopy upscaling, and carbon allocation. The calibrated model for Xiaoji simulated the difference in yield losses for ambient and elevated ozone treatments for the years 2008 for four cultivars (Y2, Y15, Y16, Y19), ranging from 21-24%, compared with the observed dataset, giving R2 of 0.74 and RMSE of 0.003. The model was tested for 2009 and gave yield losses of 24-27%, with R2 of 0.60 and RMSE of 0.12, against the observed dataset. Further, our findings suggest that the difference in yield loss is due to the early decline in carbon assimilation in elevated treatment.This happens because of the early senescence in elevated treatment, which brings leaf senescence forward by 9-11 days.</p>

<p>Ozone pollution and climate change are extremely likely to threaten future crop production in important agricultural regions around the World with the Mediterranean, South and East Asia and mid-West US being particularly at risk with implications for food security. Modelling methods used to assess risk of ozone pollution have developed in recent years away from empirical approaches based on dose-response relationships towards more process-based models. The DO3SE-Crop model has developed from an ozone deposition and effects model (having used flux-response relationships to assess damage) to a crop model capable of assessing the effect of ozone on photosynthesis and carbon allocation. Working within the AgMIP-ozone activity, DO3SE-Crop has been calibrated and evaluated against experimental ozone fumigation datasets for wheat cultivars from Spain (Mediterranean Europe), China and India and is able to assess the influence of climate variables on crop growth and yield as well as the effect of ozone on instantaneous photosynthesis and senescence. We find that the ozone effect on senescence is the primary determinant for yield loss in wheat. We are further developing the model to assess ozone effects on nutritional quality since we know that ozone is an important limiter of translocation of nitrogen to the grains. The establishment of DO3SE-Crop will allow assessments of the future impacts resulting form the combined effects of ozone and climate change on supply and nutritional aspects of food security. Importantly, this can include an assessment of the yield improvements between current and near- to mid-term future conditions for a range of adaptation options proposed for wheat in response to climate change including management of irrigation, growing season and development of new varieties from crop breeding with targeted physiological traits such as enhanced gas exchange and improved water use efficiency.</p>