Investigating the impact of atmospheric aerosols on the urban heat islands over India Internship

About Internship

Scientist/Engineer 'SE', Department of Aerosols, Radiation and Trace Gases Group, from National Atmospheric Research Laboratory, is accepting interns interested in the field of Environmental Science, in the research area of Atmospheric and Oceanic science.

This internship focuses on understanding the role of atmospheric aerosols in shaping the urban heat island (UHI) effect over major Indian cities. Urban heat islands, characterized by higher temperatures in urban areas compared to their rural surroundings, are influenced by a range of factors, including land use, urbanization, and atmospheric conditions. Aerosols, as fine particulate matter in the atmosphere, can significantly modulate the radiative balance and influence local weather patterns, thus impacting the intensity and spatial variability of UHIs. The primary objective of this internship is to quantify the contribution of aerosols to UHI effects across different Indian cities, accounting for variations in geographic, meteorological, and aerosol properties. The study aims to explore how aerosol optical depth, composition, and size distribution affect temperature anomalies in urban areas. Furthermore, the research will investigate the interplay between aerosol-induced radiative forcing and local climatic factors such as cloud cover, humidity, and wind patterns. The study will utilize a comprehensive dataset, including: Satellite data: MODIS (for aerosol optical depth), Sentinel-5P (for aerosol composition), and Landsat (for land surface temperature). Ground-based observations: Measurements from CPCB air quality stations and NASA’s AERONET. Reanalysis datasets: ERA5 and MERRA-2 for meteorological and aerosol variables. Urban land cover maps: To account for urbanization and land use changes. This research will enhance our understanding of aerosol impacts on urban microclimates, providing insights for climate adaptation strategies in rapidly urbanizing regions like India.