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A comprehensive appraisal on the effect of aerosol on mountain glaciers: special reference to Sikkim Himalayan region of India

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Abstract

Mountain glaciers are of immense importance for the balanced natural ecosystem. Billions of human life depend on this natural reserve. However, there is an alarming situation worldwide to save this resource. The melting rate of glaciers is a matter of serious concern and one of the driving forces is air pollution. Many research studies have suggested that the deposition of aerosol particles is closely associated with the intensification of glacier retreat. We are witnessing the imperative necessity to understand the regional role of aerosol pollutants in glaciers melting. The third largest glacier occupier, the Himalayan mountain glacier has also unexceptionally countersigned many calamities such as glacial lake outburst floods, flash floods, landslides and biodiversity loss. Since the geography, climate, population, human activities, culture and pollution patterns are divergent at different mountain glaciers, thus regional studies should be encouraged to understand the role of pollutants on glaciers. On-site monitoring requires studying the regional aerosols behavior in mountain glaciers specially the most sensitive regions such as Sikkim Himalaya region. Sikkim Himalaya region has experienced a rise in temperature and an increase in glacial lakes number as well as area. This review paper suggests that the in-situ study of aerosols in ecologically sensitive mountain glaciers region is our utmost need in the current research time. As many glaciers are on the verge of disappearing and different types of aerosols deposition blamed for it at different places. The regional aerosol information may help in saving this precious natural reserve.

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Acknowledgements

The Work was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India through Women Scientist Scheme (WoS-B) grant (grant no. DST/WOS-B/AFE-35/2021 (G)) to the first author. The Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) data used in this study have been provided by the Global Modelling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre.

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  1. Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India

    Sweta Kumari

  2. CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, India

    Sweta Kumari & Anirban Middey

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  1. Sweta Kumari
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  2. Anirban Middey
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Correspondence to Anirban Middey.

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Kumari, S., Middey, A. A comprehensive appraisal on the effect of aerosol on mountain glaciers: special reference to Sikkim Himalayan region of India. Sādhanā 48, 50 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-023-02097-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-023-02097-0

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