Forest fires cause pollution worse than that in toxic cities, says NRSC study

Subject : Environment

Concept :

As massive fires engulfed forests in Uttarakhand last month, a study by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) found that such high-magnitude events had the potential to destroy a wide variety of flora and fauna as the levels of pollution become higher than those in some highly polluted cities in the country.

About the Study

The Hyderabad-based NRSC studied changes induced by forest fires in the atmosphere over Uttarakhand, using space-based observations and model simulations.
The study revealed that concentrations of trace gases and aerosols rose to alarming levels during a massive fire in April-May 2016.
“CO (carbon monoxide) levels were more than double the normal values, while NO2 (nitrogen oxide) concentrations were nearly three times the normal values.
“Elevated levels of AOD (aerosol optical depth) also indicate that substantial amount of aerosols was emitted during the main phase as well as towards the end of the fire event,” said the NRSC study

Various pollutants because of forest fires

CO, CO2 (carbon dioxide), NO2, CH4 (methane) and ozone, in addition to photo-chemically reactive compounds, and fine and coarse particulate matter

National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)

NRSC is one of the primary centres of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Department of Space (DOS).
Mandate: NRSC has the mandate for:
establishment of ground stations for receiving satellite data,
generation of data products
development of techniques for remote sensing applications, including disaster management support.
Geospatial services for good governance and
capacity building for professionals, faculty, and students.