Aerosols, consisting of liquid and solid
particles suspended in the air, have significant
implications for public health, agriculture, visibility, and
climate. This research focuses on managing surface air
quality, particularly in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), a
major aerosols hotspot in India. Aerosol Optical Depth
(AOD) and particulate matter (PM2.5) and (PM10) are
used as key indicators to assess air quality. The study
analyzes aerosol variations before and after the
nationwide lockdown imposed in India on March 24,
2020. While the lockdown significantly reduced aerosol
levels due to suspended industrial, transportation, and
construction activities, it is essential to investigate
whether other factors, such as precipitation and fire, also
influenced aerosol patterns. Data from four IGP stations,
NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites, IMREG, and
MODIS, were used for analysis. Results demonstrate a
rapid reduction in aerosols after the lockdown, with
PM10 experiencing a greater decrease. Spatial analysis
indicates that precipitation and fire events contributed to
lower AOD values in specific regions.In conclusion, the
lockdown considerably improved air quality, but natural
factors like precipitation and fires also influenced
aerosol levels. Understanding these complexities is vital
for formulating effective air quality management
strategies.