In a first-time study, researchers from IIT Kharagpur, IITM Pune and Europe have analyzed the seasonal and inter-annual variability of atmospheric ammonia emitted by the agricultural sector in India. The researchers observed a high concentration of atmospheric ammonia in the Indo-Gangetic Plain turning the region into an ammonia hotspot during the summer-monsoon (Kharif crop period) due to intense fertilizer production and use in farm fields. The researchers however confirmed the general trend in atmospheric ammonia over India to be negative in most seasons. The experts have recommended a shift towards precision farming and seasonal restriction on fertilizer use as remedial measures for the situation at hand.

Link: https://kgpchronicle.iitkgp.ac.in/ammonia-hotspots-trending-in-india-iit-kharagpur-study-observes/