PICO
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted from various natural (biogenic) and anthropogenic sources. VOCs are important components of photochemical processes with strong significance to atmospheric chemistry and climate change through the formation of ozone and organic aerosols. Time-resolved continuous measurements of ambient isoprene mixing ratios at an urban location in western India were conducted from January to May 2020. The measurement period represents the gradual changes in meteorological parameters from winter to summer, as well as the reductions in anthropogenic emissions from the pre-lockdown phase of COVID-19 to the lockdown period. The day-to-day variations between 0.78-3.25 ppb during January-March and 1.07-2.25 ppb during April-May were associated mainly with the variabilities in night and day data, respectively. Diurnal patterns with higher evening-early morning and daytime concentrations in winter and summer months resemble the features of predominant anthropogenic and biogenic emissions, respectively. The analysis of the ratios of isoprene to aromatic compounds revealed the influence of biogenic sources on diurnal and seasonal variations. The afternoon isoprene/aromatic ratios increased exponentially at higher temperatures (25-42 oC), leading to increasing trends of biogenic contribution during the winter-to-summer transition period. Despite predominant biogenic contributions, reductions in anthropogenic emissions due to the COVID-19 lockdowns could also be a factor for very enhancements of isoprene/xylenes (23.0-30.5 ppb ppb-1), isoprene/ethylbenzene (28.7-37.2 ppb ppb-1), and isoprene/benzene (5.1-9.6 ppb ppb-1) ratios than in winter. The present study shows that there are no significant differences in isoprene mixing ratios between winter and summer seasons. However, tracer-based analysis shows a significant seasonality in the relative apportionment between anthropogenic and biogenic contributions. In addition to relative changes in anthropogenic and biogenic contributions, the trend of the isoprene mixing ratio also reflects the impact of meteorological factors influencing photo-oxidation and dilution.
How to cite: Sahu, L., Gupta, M., Tripathi, N., Singh, D., and Tharayil, S.: Impact of anthropogenic and biogenic sources on ambient air isoprene during winter and summer seasons at an urban site in western India , EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-935, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-935, 2026.
High urbanization and industrialization have resulted in a significant increase in air pollution impacting artificial and natural ecosystems. Roadside vegetation often act as a line of defence against air pollution to mitigate the impacts of pollutants. This demands a scientific investigation to assess the role of roadside plantation for better management and planning for urban sprawl where selected trees could be grown to mitigate the impacts of harmful pollutants. Thus, the present study investigates how variations in roadside vegetation density influence pollutant behaviour by comparing two traffic-intensive urban corridors in Delhi: Site 1 – Mundka which is a low-vegetation roadside environment, and Site 2 - Vishwavidyalaya (North Campus) which is characterised by continuous mature tree cover. Long-term ambient datasets (Jan 2024–Nov 2025), short-term real-time monitoring, and i-Tree Eco assessments of sampled roadside trees were integrated to quantify pollutant dynamics and vegetation-mediated mitigation.
Across the 23-month dataset, PM₁₀ concentrations at Site 1- Mundka (mean: 267.7 µg/m³) were consistently higher than at Site 2 - North Campus (186.1 µg/m³), representing ~1.4-fold greater particulate burden despite similar diurnal traffic signatures and strong regional coupling (r = 0.898). Distinct pollutant regimes emerged: Site 2 - North Campus showed elevated combustion pollutants (NO, NOx, CO), whereas Site 1 - Mundka exhibited higher NO₂, O₃, and coarse-particle dominance (PM₂.₅/PM₁₀ = 0.36). Field observations further revealed substantial dust accumulation on Mundka’s tree leaves, likely suppressing stomatal activity and reducing pollutant-removal efficiency.
i-Tree Eco modelling demonstrated a striking multi-fold difference in ecosystem services: trees at Site 2 - North Campus removed up to four times more pollutants than those at Site 1 - Mundka, with peak monthly removal reaching 34 kg compared to 4–5 kg. Higher leaf-area availability, mature DBH classes, and greater species diversity at North Campus also supported substantially greater carbon storage, sequestration, and oxygen production.
Overall, the findings highlight that well-maintained, continuous roadside tree corridors can meaningfully moderate pollution peaks along major transport routes. As several countries increasingly adopt planned roadside greening, the results underscore the potential of structured vegetation strategies to strengthen air-quality resilience at both urban and national scales in India.
How to cite: Bali, R., Sharma, R., and Sonwani, S.: Evaluating Roadside Vegetation as a Pollution Buffer Along Major Transport Routes: A Case Study from Delhi., EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-597, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-597, 2026.
Urban blue-green spaces or UBGS, which include urban water bodies and vegetated areas, play a key role in advancing Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good health and well-being) and 11 (Sustainable cities and communities). Yet much of the ‘blue health’ literature is grounded in experiences from Europe and other high-income regions, where such spaces are often treated mainly as recreational amenities. This overlooks the socio-ecological realities of rapidly urbanizing countries like India, where UBGS can be closely tied to everyday survival, livelihoods, and exposure to environmental risks. In this paper, equity in UBGS access and its health linkages in Indian cities have been examined, with implications for global urban planning and policy. Following the Arksey and O’Malley scoping review framework, literature published between 2014-2024 was identified in major scholarly databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed), combing search terms on blue-green infrastructure, health equity, environmental justice, and urban India. From the 45 included documents, thematic synthesis focused on spatial patterns of provision, the ways UBGS are used and valued by different social groups, and how policies and planning processes shape access and outcomes. Three interrelated themes emerged from this. First, distributive inequity: better-maintained UBGS cluster in affluent areas, while low-income settlements face degraded, flood-prone sites. Second, functional mismatch: designs prioritized aesthetic and recreational functions like promenades and jogging tracks, over livelihood needs like washing, fishing, grazing, or cultural practices. Third, green gentrification: restoration often raises land values and directly or indirectly displaces residents leading to a shift in the benefits to wealthier groups. These patterns outline Indian UBGS as contested resources rather than neutral health assets. Global North models risk missing survival functions and widening gaps. The Indian case offers lessons for cities growing rapidly and facing climate stress and socio-spatial divides. Planning must integrate anti-displacement measures and multi-use recognition, shifting from proximity to equitable access. Urban planners, policymakers, and public health officials stand to benefit from evidence-based strategies linking UBGS to resilience and justice.
How to cite: Mathur, I. and Kaur, M.: Urban Blue-Green Spaces in India: Health, Access, and Hidden Inequities, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-619, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-619, 2026.
Air pollution is one of the major leading causes of death in India, with 7 out of 10 most polluted cities located in Indo-Gangetic Plain region. With more than 70% residue generated being burnt, crop residue burning is one of the major contributor. Along with pollutants (black carbon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide) emissions, residue burning also depletes soil nutrients. Hence, this study aims to provide a sustainable alternative for residue burning, by converting the residues into value added product (biochar). This study demonstrated that biochar not only reduces air pollution by sequestering carbon but can also increase crop productivity in a degraded land (saline). In this study, rice husk and wheat straw crop residues were converted to biochar, in an indigenous reactor. For comparative assessment, both biomass and biochar [rice husk biomass (RHBM), rice husk biochar (RHBC), wheat straw biomass (WSBM), wheat straw biochar (WSBC)] were applied at 1%, 2.5% and 5% (w/w) on two saline soils (Samchana : EC - 4.97 dS/m and Dobh : EC - 5.33 dS/m). It was observed that, in both Samchana and Dobh soil, CO2 emissions were significantly lowered with RHBC (46–53%, 41–56%) and WSBC (66–80%, 61–74%) treatments as compared to RHBM and WSBM and hence increased carbon squestration. Additionally, okra was grown for two seasons (Samchana season 1 - Samc1, Samchana season 2 - Samc2, Dobh season 1 - Dobh1, Dobh season 2 -Dobh2). Salinity reduction was observed, more so using RHBC and WSBC. In all the analyzed soil parameters (pH, EC, soil organic carbon (SOC), soil available phosphorus (SAP), mineral nutrients and nutrients rations), both RHBC and WSBC provide better enhancements as compared to their biomass counterpart as well as unamended soil. These improvements were reflected by plant growth parameter enhancements. Apart from improving various soil and plant growth parameters, biochar amendments also enhance salt leaching via improvements in saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks). RHBC and WSBC improved Ks by 9–95% and 64–112%, respectively. This was reflected in higher desalination ratios with (DR) with RHBC and WSBC w.r.t their biomass counterpart and control. In Dobh soil, DR values were negative for RHBM and WSBM treatments, indicating that no reclamation occurred, which is correlated with lower soil and plant growth parameters observed. Overall, we concluded (1) biochar significantly reduces emissions of air pollutant (CO2) by capturing and sequestering in soil (2) biochar provides better salinity reduction and improvement in plant growth parameters and salt tolerance. Therefore, biochar can be considered as a sustainable air pollution mitigation strategy along with enhancing crop productivity in a degraded saline soil. This study presents biochar as a potent means to achieve sustainable development goals (SDG) – SDG 2 (by enhancing productivity), SDG 3 and SDG 13 (by reducing CO2 emission).
How to cite: Brahmacharimayum, P., Chaubey, A. K., Pratap, T., Singsit, J. S., and Mohan, D.: Crop residue biochars – A way towards sustainability as a potent climate change mitigator and fertility enhancer, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-623, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-623, 2026.
The town of Kishangarh is located between two major tourist destinations (Jaipur and Ajmer/Pushkar) in the desert state of Rajasthan in western India. Apart from being impacted by desert dust and mining activities, the town bears repercussions of marble cutting and processing industries and is aptly known as the marble capital of India. The combined impacts of desert dust and marble dust pose a number of challenges in the urban and peri-urban regions of the semi-arid landscape of Kishangarh district. These include many cases of silicosis in the region and extremely scant greenery in the marble cutting industrial area of Kishangarh. Despite close proximity to Ajmer, Kishangarh exhibits significantly lower rainfall compared to Ajmer. In summer, the temperature in the district can reach upto 49◦C, exacerbating the heat island effect. Further, the region sees high night-time values of surface ozone (O3) in contrast to many other observations over western India indicating low net photochemical O3 formation during the day. O3 values reach above the threshold of 50 ppbv nearly 43% of the time despite the high dust content favoring dry-deposition of O3. Almost during the entire rabi cropping season, the monthly AOT40 values are above threshold; potentially detrimental to agriculture. Considering the top 10 contributing non-methane hydrocarbons, surprisingly a biogenic fingerprint, Isoprene, is the major contributor to propylene-equivalent concentration in post-monsoon (27%), winter (25%) and pre-monsoon (33%), indicating the major role to be leveraged from biogenics in maintaining atmospheric oxidation and hence air quality to satisfactory levels. Comparison of butane isomeric ratios to butane-propane ratios indicates impact of chlorine chemistry competing with daytime OH chemistry, and points to growing instances of haze impacting traffic, which also needs to be addressed for maintaining better civic infrastructure.
How to cite: Mallik, C., Yadav, S., and Ganguly, V.: Deciphering challenges in the marble dust dominated ecosystem of Kishangarh through atmospheric composition measurements, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-637, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-637, 2026.
The Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) is one of the most pollution-burdened and meteorologically sensitive regions worldwide, where high population load, intensive agriculture, expanding industries, and stagnant winter conditions combine to create air-quality challenges. The present study analyses the spatio-temporal variations of six key pollutants—PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, NO₂, SO₂, CO, and O₃ collected from Central pollution control board (CPCB) across major urban ecosystem area of IGP region (Agra, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Lucknow, Varanasi, and Kanpur) during 2020–2021. The period is especially informative as it encompasses the emission-suppressed COVID-19 lockdown phases of 2020 and the rapid economic recovery of 2021, providing a unique natural experiment to observe pollutant–meteorology interactions. Annual pollutant patterns show that particulate matter remained the most critical concern throughout both years. Despite large-scale mobility restrictions in 2020, PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ annual means (55.0 ± 19.6 and 125.8 ± 46.9 µg m⁻³) remained well above national standards, indicating persistent structural sources such as traffic, industrial combustion, dust resuspension, and biomass burning. With economic activity resuming in 2021, these levels rose further (61.3 ± 17.5 and 140.1 ± 46.5 µg m⁻³), highlighting the sensitivity of the region to emission resurgence. In contrast, NO₂, SO₂, CO, and O₃ exhibited relatively modest interannual changes, reflecting more stable emission sectors and meteorological controls. Seasonal patterns showed clear contrasts across both years, with winter emerging as the most polluted period due to strong atmospheric stability, shallow boundary-layer heights, and frequent temperature inversions. Winter 2020 recorded severe particulate peaks (PM₂.₅: 115.1 ± 46.5 µg m⁻³; PM₁₀: 226.4 ± 66.5 µg m⁻³), while winter 2021 displayed similarly elevated levels driven by stagnant meteorology, fossil-fuel combustion, and regional biomass burning. Monsoon months consistently showed the cleanest air, with August 2020 reaching minimum PM₂.₅ (20.1 ± 2.1 µg m⁻³) due to wet scavenging and enhanced mixing. NO₂ and CO exhibited winter maxima, whereas O₃ peaked in pre-monsoon months under strong photochemical activity.Principal Component Analysis identified two dominant pollutant groupings explaining 86.58% of variance. The first (60.63%) represented combustion-related sources linking PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, CO, and NO₂, while the second (25.95%) reflected industrial and secondary processes associated with SO₂ and O₃.Overall, the analysis confirms the entrenched nature of particulate pollution in selected urban ecosystem areas over IGP region and highlights the importance of coordinated emission-control strategies that are responsive to both source contributions and seasonally driven atmospheric processes.
How to cite: Burdak, R., Khajuria, A., and Somwani, S.: Evaluating the Status of Air Quality, Source Apportionment and Investigating the correlations with meteorological parameters over the Urban Ecosystem area of Indo-Gangetic Plain, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-710, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-710, 2026.
One of the most serious environmental problems in Dhaka Metropolitan City is air pollution due to uncontrolled vehicle, construction work, emission from surrounding industries and brick kilns and disappearing green space and water bodies. This study was performed to observe the levels of PM2.5 and PM10 in various areas of Dhaka Metropolitan City. hand-held Air quality monitor (Model: Aeroqual S500) used to collect data from 77 major road junctions during cold-wave of winter 2025.
The results show that the average levels of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration over the 77 sites were 211.16 µg/m³ and 277.82 µg/m³, respectively much higher than the Bangladesh National Ambient Air Quality Standards (65 µg/m³ for PM2.5 and 150 µg/m³ for PM₁₀) increased by 3.25 and 1.81 times respectively. By zones, particulate concentration was highest in Zone-6 (Gulshan), followed by Zone-3 (Uttara), Zone-5 (Mirpur), Zone-7 (Tejgaon), Zone-2 (Motijheel), zone 1(Ramna) and next higher in category of particulate concentration was found in zone 4 (Lalbagh). The PM2.5/PM10 ratio suggested a predominance of combustion sources in total particulate mass (75.97 %). The dispersion analysis and box-whisker plots exhibit that the higher deviation was observed in Zone-2, whereas statistical tests to assess the difference among zones revealed no significant differences between the four zones for PM₁₀ (p > 0.05), with exception of PM2.5. Cluster analysis also revealed the presence of four main clusters that converged at 25.
This elevated particulate level is a serious health hazard. PM2.5 which can travel deep into the lungs and bloodstream is associated with respiratory infections, asthma, COPD, heart disease and premature death. PM₁₀ leads to decreased lung function, respiratory discomfort, and cardiovascular burden. The study suggests that Improved vehicle regulation, better construction management, cleaner industrial strategies along with more public transportation and public knowledge are require to minimize the health detriment in DHK as well as air quality enhancement.
Keyword: Air Pollution, Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Dhaka City, Spatial Variation, Health Impacts
How to cite: Majumder, A. K., Islam, M., Rahman, M., Hossain, M., Hossain, M., and Patoary, M. N. A.: Status of Air Quality and Associated Health Risks in Dhaka Metropolitan City, Bangladesh: A Cold Wave Period Analysis, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-736, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-736, 2026.
Exploring nexus between particulate pollution and urban land using land use regression (LUR) and machine learning models: a case of study of Delhi, India.
Kamna Sachdeva1 and Divansh Sharma2
1Professor Department of sustainability sciences, Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (email: kamna.sachdeva@dseu.ac.in)
2 Research Fellow, Division of air Quality The energy and Resource Institute (TERI) (email: divyansh.sharma@teri.res.in)
Investigating the environmental repercussions of urban growth dynamics is essential for sustainable urban development. Urbanization affects air pollutants through urban expansion and emission growth, inevitably shifting the health risks associated with air pollution. The interaction between temporal variations of pollutants and spatial heterogeneity further complicates the dynamics of urban air pollution. To cater such heterogeneity regression models are integral they provide detailed insights into the relationships between air pollutants and various influencing factors. These models correlate air pollutants with independent variables, including anthropogenic emissions, meteorological parameters, and the concentrations of other air pollutants. The air quality of Delhi where transboundary emissions, local emissions, land use changes/patters and different seasonal patterns interplays, can only be explained by land use regression models. Land use regression (LUR) modeling, which offers refined insights into the spatial distribution of pollutants by incorporating land use characteristics. The integration of machine learning into land use regression (LUR) modeling further enhance its capability to predict air pollution levels with greater accuracy and spatial resolution. The study was planned to investigate the application of Land Use Regression (LUR) models to explore the relationship between particulate pollution and urban land use in Delhi, incorporating geographic, meteorological, and machine-learning approaches. The study highlights the effectiveness of traditional LUR models, Random Forest (RF), and Deep Neural Networks (DNN) in capturing spatial and temporal variability of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. Traditional LUR models were developed for both annual and seasonal predictions, with key variables selected based on their statistical significance and impact direction on pollutant levels. For instance, the annual model for PM2.5 included variables like green cover, building area, and wind speed, while the seasonal models adjusted variables to reflect specific environmental conditions of each period. This methodical selection and modeling process formed the basis for further analysis using advanced techniques. Advanced machine learning models, including RF and DNN, were applied to enhance the traditional LUR models. These models demonstrated improved predictive accuracy and robustness, effectively handling nonlinear interactions and complex data patterns. The study revealed some unexpected trends, particularly in terms of the temporal persistence of pollutants and understanding intensity of pollution hotspots across Delhi.
How to cite: Sachdeva, K. and Sharma, D.: Exploring nexus between particulate pollution and urban land using land use regression (LUR) and machine learning models: a case of study of Delhi, India, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-749, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-749, 2026.
Cities in the Global South face increasing environmental challenges due to severe air pollution, rapid land-use change, and rising urban heat stress. In this context, restored urban ecosystems have become essential nature-based solutions to protect human health, improve regulating services, and act for climate change mitigation. The present study considers Sunder Nursery, the UNESCO-linked World heritage site near the densely populated Nizamuddin area in New Delhi, India. It serves as a model urban greenspace offering sustainability benefits that align with SDGs 3, 11, 13, and 15.
A detailed ecological survey of 661 trees representing 105 species is the foundation for the i-Tree Eco assessment. The site features a diverse, mostly native tree community, including Azadirachta indica, Holoptelea integrifolia, Ficus religiosa, Ficus virens, Albizia lebbeck, Anogeissus pendula, and Diospyros montana. This layered canopy, which includes saplings and trees taller than 29 meters, provides strong regulating services. Preliminary i-Tree Eco findings of study site indicate an annual removal of approximately 50 ± 8 kg PM₂.₅, 770 ± 120 kg PM₁₀, 120 ± 20 kg NO₂, 170 ± 25 kg O₃, 55 ± 8 kg SO₂ and about 60 ± 3 tonnes of oxygen per year. This indicates a clear improvement in air quality through pollutant filtration and support for respiratory health in Delhi's polluted environment. The trees also store about approximately 335 ± 25 tonnes of carbon and sequester approximately 22 ± 2 tonnes per year. This offers substantial carbon-service benefits that help with long-term climate change mitigation by stabilizing carbon stocks and reducing urban CO₂ emissions. These results highlight how restored native urban forests strengthen climate resilience and air quality regulation, which are crucial parts of the study’s objectives.
To evaluate human-centered co-benefits, a Scenic Beauty Estimation was done using 17 representative landscape units from water bodies, heritage lawns, native woodland patches, and mixed plantings. 92 respondents rated these landscape units on a 5-point scale were additionally asked about the sense of mental restoration and well-being they experience in natural heritage settings like Sunder Nursery. Scenic Beauty score show a strong preference for native-dominated, structurally diverse, and water-associated landscapes (mean = 4.32). In contrast, homogenized or exotic-dominated areas scored lower (mean = 3.41). The overlap of high scenic beauty, native biodiversity, strong regulating services, and along with reported feelings of calmness, relief, and psychological comfort suggests that restored ecosystems also serve as cultural landscapes, supporting mental well-being, appreciation of heritage, and aesthetic value.
Thus by integrating ecological modeling with perceptual responses, this study demonstrates that the restored urban ecosystems such as Sunder Nursery can enhance air quality, climate resilience, cultural value, and human well-being at the same time. These findings highlight the urgent need to scale up native tree restoration and heritage-linked ecological planning as practical strategies to tackle persistent urban challenges like pollution, heat stress, and the loss of accessible, healthy green spaces.
How to cite: Sonwani, S., Sharma, R., Burdak, R., and Yadav, A.: Urban Ecosystem Restoration for Climate Resilience, and Co-benefits: an Integrated Assessment of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, New Delhi, India, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-846, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-846, 2026.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) are key urban air pollutants affecting air quality
and public health. While emission reduction policies aim to improve air quality, their spatial
patterns and long-term trends in conurbation areas remain uncertain. This study examines NO₂ and
SO₂ trends in major Malaysian conurbations from 2019 to 2023, focusing on land use and urban
activities. While conurbations are primarily urban, they exhibit diverse land use patterns, from
high-traffic commercial zones to industrial hubs, influencing air pollution differently. Continuous
air quality monitoring data from Klang Valley, Johor Bahru, George Town, Kota Kinabalu, and
Kuching were analysed using statistical and geostatistical techniques to assess temporal and spatial
trends. Findings reveal that NO₂ concentrations are highest in traffic dense urban centres, whereas
SO₂ levels are more prominent in industrial and port areas. Seasonal variations, including monsoon
effects and transboundary haze, also influence pollution levels. The study highlights the
heterogeneous nature of air quality trends across conurbations, emphasising the need for localised
air pollution control strategies. By integrating land use planning with targeted mitigation measures,
policymakers can better manage urban air quality while addressing region-specific pollution
sources.
How to cite: Abdul Halim, N. D., Md Sofwan, N., Latif, M. T., and Othman, M.: Assessing Air Quality Trends in Malaysian Conurbations: NO₂ and SO₂ Variability AcrossLand Use and Urban Activities, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-919, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-919, 2026.
Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) have been attracting attention mainly due to its potential adverse effect on human health resulting from inhalation. This study aims to determine the concentration of MPs in total suspended particles (TSP) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the ambient air of urban environment of Kuala Lumpur. The concentration and characteristics of MPs collected during different monsoon seasons (Northeast, Intermonsoon, and Southwest) were also determined. A high-volume air sampler was used to collect samples from December 2022 to July 2023. MPs were analyzed for size, shape, and color using a stereo microscope, and their polymer composition was determined using pyrolysis-GC/MS. Health risk assessments were conducted based on established formulas from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Results showed significantly higher MP concentrations (p<0.05) in TSP compared to PM2.5 across all seasons, with the highest concentrations (TSP = 13.14 ± 7.57 particles/m3, PM2.5 = 0.54 ± 0.37 particles/m3) during the Northeast Monsoon. The size of MPs in TSP and PM2.5 was mostly concentrated in the 0.1 – 0.5 mm group. Most of the MPs in the urban environment are fibre-shaped (PM2.5: 58.40 ± 10.45%; TSP: 56.07 ± 5.72%) and transparent particles were the most abundant colour found in this area (PM2.5: 67.27%; TSP: 60.87%). Polymer analysis revealed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as the most prevalent polymer. HYSPLIT trajectory analysis indicated long-range transport during the Northeast and Intermonsoon periods, while the Southwest Monsoon showed more localized sources. Health risk assessment showed a decreasing exposure to airborne MPs in the following order: adults and adolescents > children > toddlers > infants. This study highlights the seasonal variation of atmospheric MPs in an urban environment and the importance of considering both particle size fractions and meteorological conditions for a comprehensive understanding of MP pollution. The co-occurrence of MPs with PM2.5 raises significant concerns about potential human health risks. Further research and continuous monitoring are needed to fully understand the long-term implications of inhaling MPs, particularly in densely populated regions.
How to cite: Mohd Hanif, N., Lau, J., Mohd Izham, N. A., Ramli, A. H., Onozuka, Y., Okochi, H., Fujii, Y., and Latif, M. T.: Abundances, Characteristics, and Health Risk Assessment of Airborne Microplastics in the Urban Area: A Case Study of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-950, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-950, 2026.
Rising tropospheric ozone (O₃) levels—driven largely by intensified industrialization and human activities since the Industrial Revolution—have become a pressing global concern. As a potent phytotoxic pollutant, ozone disrupts photosynthesis, triggers oxidative stress, and contributes significantly to yield declines in essential food crops like wheat and rice. Alarmingly, many major agricultural belts now coincide with ozone pollution hotspots, heightening threats to global food security.
Motivated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to eradicate hunger and advance sustainable agriculture by 2030, this work explores science-based and eco-friendly interventions capable of enhancing crop resilience under escalating ozone stress. The study evaluates a suite of mitigation strategies, including soil amendments, biochar enrichment, seed inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and antioxidant-rich plant extracts. The chemical protectant ethylenediurea (EDU), known for its strong protective effects against ozone injury, is also examined. Furthermore, adaptive agronomic modifications such as adjusting sowing time, improving irrigation practices, enforcing stricter emission controls on ozone precursors, and developing ozone-tolerant cultivars are critically reviewed.
By bridging the divide between controlled experimental insights and practical field-level applicability, this study highlights the need for integrated, sustainable, and scalable approaches. The findings underscore the potential of combining biological, agronomic, and policy-driven solutions to safeguard crop productivity and strengthen agricultural resilience in an era of increasing atmospheric stress.
How to cite: Ghosh, A.: Safeguarding Agriculture in a High-Ozone World: Sustainable Strategies for Crop Protection, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-1122, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-1122, 2026.
The intensive Airborne and Satellite Investigation of Asian Air Quality (ASIA-AQ) mission has been the NASA led international cooperative field study designed to address local air quality challenges in Asia. Specifically, ASIA-AQ flight observations over Bangkok and its vicinity (BKV) during March 2024 suggest the presence of daytime pollution and heat islands for which aerosol and certain gaseous constituents intensify over the urban core and so does temperature. Asymmetry of their spatial patterns is potentially linked to diverse land cover (also human activities) and more importantly the land-sea interface where internal boundary layers (both thermal and mechanical) develop. The DC-8 flight monitored aerosol (backscatter), O3, NO2, and CO concentrations, that were used to identify the extent of daytime pollutant island. Spatial distribution of pollutants and temperature in BKV and human exposure are illustrated by integrating with population distribution and urban structure. The findings indicate public health situation and projection of inhabitants. This study allows insight towards solutions for Air Pollution and Climate Change Impacts for redesigning and resilience planning for Urban Ecosystem in Thailand. Communications to policy makers are also demonstrated so that achieving the SDG meets the Net-Zero commitment of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, while public attention is high in many forums across the capital city.
How to cite: Surapipith, V., Manomaiphiboon, K., Thongboonchoo, N., Boonlerd, V., Crawford, J. H., and Kyaw, M.: Urban Ecosystem Study for the City of Bangkok during ASIA-AQ over Thailand; Insight towards the Solution for Air Pollution and Climate Change, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-1147, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-1147, 2026.
Contemporary urban landscapes feature a variety of urban ecosystems, synonymous with urban greenspaces. Maintaining a high-quality greenspace system is essential for promoting the sustainable development of cities. Urban greenspaces provide a full spectrum of ecosystem services, ensuring the well-being of city-dwellers. However, urban greenspaces in many European cities have a highly fragmented, mosaic structure, and the aspect of their spatial configuration tends to be overlooked in the scientific research.
The research aimed to evaluate the spatial integrity of urban greenspaces, defined as the configuration of the greenspaces’ spatial structure that ensures their interconnection.
To achieve the research goal, spatial analyses were conducted using GIS software. To extract the urban greenspaces, the Urban Atlas served as the data source. The Silesian Metropolis was chosen as the research area due to its diversity of urban greenspaces and its large spatial extent at the landscape scale. The evaluation of spatial integrity was based on well-established assumptions in the field of landscape ecology research. The urban greenspaces were evaluated through scoring, in terms of five variables: greenspace patch area, core area of the patch, neighborhood between nearest patches, proximity index, and suitability of land cover for ecological functions. Supplementally, Moran’s I spatial autocorrelation statistics was calculated, to better interpret the overall configuration pattern.
The results indicate significant variability in the spatial integrity of urban greenspaces, particularly when comparing different types of greenspaces. It was found that despite a high fragmentation of urban greenspaces, a relatively large part is strongly integrated with the others. On the other hand, the greenspace patches near urban centers have a low level of spatial integrity.
The study enabled the classification of urban greenspaces in terms of their spatial integrity on a five-level scale. The author aims to highlight the applicability of results in managing urban ecosystems. The elaborated method can also be utilized in other research areas, enabling comparative studies.
How to cite: Pyryt, P.: Evaluation of spatial integrity of urban greenspaces on a case of the Silesian Metropolis (southern Poland), EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-2517, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-2517, 2026.
Rapid urbanization creates a conflict between economic prosperity and human health, a tension largely stemming from deteriorating urban air quality. For fast-growing megacities, achieving a sustainable balance—where urban ecosystems support both development and well-being—is a major challenge. This study quantitatively explores pathways to sustainability in Guangdong Province, China, by analyzing the spatiotemporal coupling between urbanization intensity and PM₂.₅ pollution from 2000 to 2021.
We developed a comprehensive urbanization index using 19 socioeconomic indicators, validated against long-term Nighttime Light (NTL) remote sensing data. To assess progress toward sustainability, we applied the Coupling Coordination Degree (CCD) model and tested the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis across three dimensions: land expansion, population growth, and economic development.
Our analysis identifies a pivotal turning point in 2010. Before this threshold, rapid urban expansion significantly degraded air quality, with urbanization and pollution increasing synchronously. After 2010, however, the region underwent a distinct transition—shifting from "Discordance" to "Transitional" and finally to "Advanced Coordination." For public health, these changes are substantial: PM₂.₅ concentrations fell by 49.3% from their peak, and annual haze days in core cities like Guangzhou dropped by over 89% (from 36.8 to 4 days). This trend effectively decouples pollution from economic growth. Spatially, our findings highlight a clear divide: coastal urban agglomerations (e.g., Pearl River Delta) have achieved high coordination through industrial upgrading and strict regulations, while inland areas still grapple with aligning development with environmental quality.
These results provide empirical evidence that targeted policy interventions—including China’s Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan—can reverse the adverse health impacts of urbanization. We demonstrate that the Coupling Coordination Degree is a vital tool for policymakers to monitor the shift from conflict to synergy, ensuring that future urban ecosystems prioritize human well-being alongside economic growth.
How to cite: shen, J.: Evaluation of the Coupling Coordination Degree Between PM2.5 and Urbanization Level: A Case in Guangdong Province(2000–2021), EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-4741, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-4741, 2026.
To achieve the “30×30” conservation target, Other Effective Area Conservation Measures (OECMs) serve as an innovative conservation approach that can provide a critical supplement to existing protected areas. However, related research and practice remained in their infancy, with particularly limited exploration in urban ecosystems. To address the challenge of ongoing biodiversity loss amid rapid urbanization, this study took the biodiversity-rich Yunnan Province in China as an example. Utilizing the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria for identifying OECMs, we constructed a systematic identification framework for potential OECMs in urban areas. This framework assessed conservation value across three dimensions: habitat importance, ecosystem services, and functional connectivity. We employed the Zonation model for spatial conservation prioritization and identified potential OECMs within the top 30% conservation priority areas by selecting urban units with clear spatial boundaries and management entities. The result showed that 104 potential urban OECMs were identified in Yunnan, predominantly distributed in Kunming, Dali, and Qujing. These sites were primarily small-to-medium-sized patches averaging approximately 0.29 km². Urban parks and campuses constituted the main types. High-connectivity patches are predominantly larger campuses, while patches with high habitat importance and ecosystem services were mainly small-to-medium-sized parks. Based on the categorical characteristics of these potential OECMs, the study further recommended tailored management strategies to promote long-term and effective urban biodiversity conservation. By focusing the OECMs identification framework on urban areas, this study provided an operational approach for implementing conservation goals within highly artificial landscapes and presented a new practical pathway toward achieving the “30×30” target.
How to cite: Zhong, D., Jiang, H., Hu, T., Tang, H., Xu, D., and Peng, J.: How can urban areas contribute to achieving the 30×30 target? Application potential of other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) , EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-5337, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-5337, 2026.
Altogether, urbanization, climate change, and air pollution challenge human health, equity, and ecosystem integrity in cities. As a consequence, the French Programme and Priority Research Equipment for Sustainable Cities and Innovative Buildings (PEPR VDBI) supports interdisciplinary research to generate scientific evidence that bolsters resilient urban planning and public health strategies. Within this programme, the Paris RÉUSS-I initiative merges two complementary research initiatives : inteGREEN and URBHEALTH, to investigate how vegetation-based solutions and pollutant exposures shape environmental and health outcomes in the Paris region.
Urban greening strategies entail a rigorous spatial and functional framework to optimize ecosystem services. inteGREEN investigates the placement, morphology, and typology of urban green infrastructures to enhance their multi-dimensional benefits. At the heart of our approach is the optimization of the soil-water-plant continuum, ensuring vegetation resilience and sustained ecological performance. Moreover, the research addresses the social dimension by evaluating accessibility and equitable use across diverse urban populations. By combining field experiments, environmental monitoring, social surveys, and numerical modeling, this component develops decision-relevant indicators and tools for urban greening strategies that maximize positive outcomes while limiting downsides such as water demand, maintenance constraints, and biogenic emissions from vegetation.
On the other hand, URBHEALTH investigates the health impacts of spatial heterogeneities in urban air pollution by focusing on regulated and emerging pollutants, such as ultrafine particles or black carbon, using the oxidative potential, a key indicator of their intrinsic toxicity. Harnessing high-resolution atmospheric modeling, multi-environment exposure estimation, epidemiological data, and socio-economic analysis, URBHEALTH identifies vulnerable populations and urban hotspots of elevated risk. Our scenario analyses will integrate cost–benefit frameworks to assess public-health-oriented mitigation pathways taking into account environmental justice.
Paris REUSS-I not only advances fundamental research of urban ecosystems and health interactions but also aims at providing actionable insights for policymakers and planners seeking to implement sustainable transformations in cities. At the core of the projects resides interactions with a great variety of stakeholders. Aligning with the session’s interdisciplinary fields of study, our work exposes the ongoing thematic research as well as the process of co-construction and knowledge exchange, thus highlighting the good practices and challenges that we identified so far.
How to cite: Faber, M., Kotthaus, S., Sartelet, K., Haeffelin, M., Uzu, G., and Foret, G.: Integrated Assessment of Urban Greening, Air Quality, and Health in the Paris Region: Insights from the PEPR VDBI Paris-RÉUSS-I projects inteGREEN and URBHEALTH , EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-7334, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-7334, 2026.
Cities in Central Asia remain underrepresented in global urban and climate studies, despite significant climate impacts in the region. At the same time, rapid urban expansion in Central Asia is changing both the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the cities, creating complex thermal environments. Urban morphology, including both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) structural characteristics, plays a crucial role in shaping surface urban heat island (sUHI) intensity. While most previous research has mainly focused on 2D indicators such as building density and land use, the influence of 3D urban features on land surface temperature (LST) remains underexplored.
To provide a regional-scale perspective, we first analyze urban growth and LST changes using Landsat and MODIS satellite time series in nine Central Asian cities. Next, we examine how urban morphology impacts LST across our cities, linking the findings to the observed urban growth trends.
We find significant urban growth, particularly in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The LST trend analysis reveals rising temperatures in urban areas, exacerbating heat stress, particularly in rapidly expanding cities. However, the temperature changes are uneven with some cities showing significant warming, while others show daytime cooling particularly in newly developed dense urban areas. By integrating 3D urban morphology indicators with contemporary LST data and information on urban vegetation, we demonstrate that significant urban temperature deviations are driven not only by 2D factors but also by vertical urban structures. Our findings highlight the need to incorporate 3D urban metrics into climate adaptation and urban planning strategies to better manage urban heat and promote resilient cities in Central Asia.
How to cite: de Beurs, K., Hicks, D., and Bazarkulova, D.: Investigating the Influence of 3D Urban Morphology on Land Surface Temperature in Central Asian Cities, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-10904, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-10904, 2026.
Major depressive disorder affects an estimated 280 million people worldwide and ranks among the leading contributors to years lived with disability. Single-cause explanations are insufficient to account for the complexity of depression, which is shaped by dynamic interactions between biological, psychological, social and environmental determinants. Urban environments, where over half of the global population currently lives and projections suggest this will reach nearly 68% by 2050, concentrates multiple interacting stressors including air pollution, noise, heat island effect, social fragmentation, and diminished access to restorative environments that trigger and reinforce pathways associated with depression onset and persistence.
This study aims to design a causal loop diagram (CLD) that integrates depression-generative mechanisms with the ways urban green infrastructure can counteract these processes, serving both as analytical framework and boundary object for transdisciplinary dialogue at the interface of urban ecosystems and mental health.
The methodological approach builds upon foundational CLDs from Wittenborn et al. and Herrera et al. that model depression as interacting feedbacks across cognitive and biological processes. We adapted these frameworks to the urban context by identifying mechanisms relevant to city environments and by systematically incorporating urban environmental variables alongside nature-related factors, informed by scientific literature. The resulting CLD will undergo validation through focus groups with stakeholders from health, planning, ecology and policy sectors to ensure relevance and plausibility.
The CLD identifies three dominant reinforcing feedbacks that may drive urban depression dynamics: a stress sensitization cycle in which chronic exposure to noise, air pollution, heat, and artificial light amplifies physiological stress responses, progressively lowering stress tolerance; a behavioural withdrawal loop in which depressive symptoms reduce physical activity and social engagement, deepening isolation and symptom severity; and a sleep disruption loop in which environmental disturbances impair sleep quality, increasing vulnerability to stress and mood dysregulation.
Counteracting these dynamics, the CLD highlights three principle balancing feedbacks associated with urban green infrastructure. An environmental mitigation loop links vegetation and tree canopy to reduced air pollution, noise, and ambient temperatures, weakening stress-generative processes. A restoration loop captures how accessible, high-quality green spaces promote psychophysiological restoration, physical activity, and informal social interaction, countering behavioural withdrawal. A sleep-supporting loop reflects the capacity of vegetated environments to moderate nighttime temperatures and noise, improving sleep quality and reducing stress sensitivity.
Analysis of these feedback loops reveals strategic intervention points, including increasing green infrastructure coverage and quality, reducing access barriers, and ensuring equitable distribution so protective loops operate across socioeconomic groups.
This work provides a systems level framework for understanding the dynamic of urban depression and for identifying intervention strategies that directly support Sustainable Development Goals 3, 11, 13 and 15, demonstrating that mental health promotion in cities requires both targeted environmental improvements and structured cross-sector collaboration grounded in systems thinking.
How to cite: Zjalic, D., van Raaij, E., and Cadeddu, C.: Urban green infrastructure and depression dynamics: a causal loop analysis, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-17512, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-17512, 2026.
Smart city concepts and quality of life have become important, with implications for urban development. They are slowly but surely becoming indispensable for urban areas such as Iași, a city in Romania. This study examines whether citizens utilise these initiatives and perceive them as enhancing the quality of their daily lives. Over the past decade, various initiatives have emerged to transform this city into one of Romania's leading smart cities. Our analysis focuses on initiatives to improve public transport accessibility, municipal tax payments, and green transport. We analyse data from a semi-structured survey to examine participants' awareness of existing smart initiatives, their digital lives, and their level of facility use. We also attempted to evaluate people's perception of their quality of life in relation to these initiatives. We employed statistical tests, the Chi-squared (χ²) test, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and the Spearman correlation to ensure good representation, as they provided valuable insights that helped us achieve our main objective. Our analyses have shown that perceptions differ according to age. Active adults tend to be more satisfied, while young and older people tend to be less satisfied. Many people are unaware of the various initiatives and lack trust in the local administration.
How to cite: Bejenaru, I., Ibănescu, B., Roșu, L., and Iațu, C.: Citizens’ perception of smart initiatives and implications on their quality of life in Iasi Municipality, Eastern Europe, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-19565, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-19565, 2026.
Urban areas are characterized by high population densities, complex transport networks, and concentrated commercial and industrial activity, all of which can intensify existing environmental and public health challenges. With their dense populations and infrastructure, cities are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and other environmental stresses. The Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) consistently records poor Air Quality after October every year. It is the worst among Indian metropolitan areas, posing severe health risks and highlighting the need for systemic policy reform. Air pollution imposes a significant socio-economic burden on Delhi’s healthcare system and residents. The present study examines the direct and indirect economic costs of air pollution-related major diseases. It also investigates public views towards air pollution mitigation strategies, policies, including interventions, identifying supporters of such measures among Delhi’s residents.
An online survey of residents across different sections of Delhi NCR was conducted to assess health status, protective behaviors, attitudes toward air pollution recommendations, knowledge of air quality information, and perceptions of mitigation strategies. Respondents were asked whether their views were favorable or unfavorable toward specific policies and interventions.
It is indicated that deteriorating pulmonary health due to increased exposure to urban pollutants results in higher healthcare costs through higher hospitalization rates, longer-term treatments, and increased medication expenditures. Survey responses reveal varying levels of public support for mitigation strategies, with predictors including health status, awareness of air quality information, and adoption of protective behaviors. Public favorability toward interventions such as electric vehicle (EV) adoption, public transport expansion, and stricter pollution control policies underscores the importance of integrating health, economic, and behavioral dimensions into systemic policy reform. It is important to note that urban sustainability entails the reduction and effective management of pollution emissions in cities to safeguard environmental quality and protect public health.
How to cite: Maurya, V.: Air Pollution, Perceived Health Risks, and Public Policies : A Study Of Delhi NCR Region from 2015-2025, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-776, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-776, 2026.
