RESEARCH INTERESTS



Atmospheric Chemistry:

The largest uncertainty in the prediction of future climate scenarios is due to aerosol (IPCC 2014) as their physical and chemical properties vary both in time and space. My primary focus is to understand the molecular level details of the reactions that occurs on nano-surfaces, thereby altering their physical and chemical properties. The carbon isotopic fingerprinting allows us to identify sources whereas oxygen triple preserve the record of photochemical transformations.

Due to the rapid increase in temperature and climate change, frequent biomass burning events are happening across the globe. To understand the present state of the atmosphere-hydrosphere-biosphere interaction, one has to understand the past climate changes and how annual, decadal scale processes are intertwined with natural and anthropogenic changes.



Climate Change and Societal impacts:

According to the union of concerned scientist report increase in temperature will lead to higher ozone levels which can have serious economic and health consequences. I would like to study changes in the physical and chemical properties of the aerosols in a changing climate scenario that can trigger cardiovascular diseases, especially the influence of free radicals on the lung tissues. Ozone is a natural tracer due to the highest enrichment observed and its interaction with other oxygen bearing molecules can be traced easily. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA2014) estimated ~ $100 billion worth health and economic benefits in the US if the ozone levels can be maintained ~70 ppb.

Higher ozone levels have adverse effects on crop yields as ozone entering the leaves induces stress symptoms in the plants by producing reactive oxygen species. This ultimately leads to reduction in crop yield, hence reducing beneficial effect of CO2 increase. I am interested to explore the impact of increase on ozone concentration and high temperature on the plant yield in a changing climate scenarios. I have developed expertise in this field earlier in my career while working on the FAO/IAEA joint project at Seibersdorf's laboratories in Austria.