Publication

Abstract : Air quality disturbance zones of the Greater Cochin region (Kerala, India) for the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 along with air quality assessment and dispersion modelling using in situ measurements and mathematical models, have been investigated in this report. Landsat-8 satellite with OLI and TIRS sensors on board were used for the analysis. The ground based in situ measurements (pollutant parameters) were also obtained from the Kerala state pollution control board. Zonal statistics analysis was performed in various combinations especially air quality disturbance zones with respect to land use/land cover and administrative units for various years. The air quality disturbance zone index (AQDZI) values observed indicated that 38.16% of the study area in 2014 belonged to very good category, 22.94% to good category, 32.37% to moderate category and 6.53% to poor category. In 2015, 56.78% of study area belonged to very good category and 43.221% to good category while in the year 2016 very good category of AQDZI values occupied an area of 45.284% and good category AQDZI values occupied an area of 54.72%. In 2017, 99.834% of the study area belonged to good category and 1.233% to moderate category. Results obtained from zonal statistics revealed that the poor air quality was observed in built up area and good air quality at rubber plantation in all the four selected years. In the case of administrative units, Kochi Corporation experienced poor air quality during all the years studied and Mulanthuruthy grama-panchayath experienced good air quality during most of the years except in 2016.