Changing Trends of Aerosol Loadings Over Three Major Zones of Indian Region During the Last Seventeen Years (2005–2021)

The spatial and temporal variation of satellite derived pre-monsoonal Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) over the Indian region has been studied using long-term (2005–2021) data from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). In particular, three zones were selected, based on dominance natural, anthropogenic mixture both types aerosols. seasonal average AOD (MODIS, OMI) was found to be (~ 0.40, ~ 0.35) for entire landmass. We that trends are increasing (and statistically significant) increase is at a faster rate in last 8 years compared previous ones. Trend MODIS (OMI) 0.011 (0.002) year?1 0.014 (0.006) periods 2005–2012 2013–2021, respectively, region. Increasing selected Indo-Gangetic Plains South-India during 2005–2021, whereas desert zone, trend contrastingly became negative (2005–2012) positive (2013–2021) recent years.