Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

Air pollution is the world�s leading cause of deaths around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 7 million lives are lost due to exposure to hazardous atmospheric compounds. Pakistan, a third-world country of south Asia, is found to be occupied in severe economic and environmental crisis. Population in the country is exponentially growing, resulting in unplanned urbanization, fast industrialization, increased vehicular emissions, poor infrastructures and transport system. The performed study aims to highlight the variation in hazardous atmospheric compounds due to anthropogenic activities. Whereas, it also serves the purpose of providing air pollution status of the megacity of Pakistan. The selected study area was Karachi city and the parameter under observation was Air Quality Index (AQI). Live data retrieved from Plume Labs was sorted according to time and days and then was imported into ArcGIS software for formulation of choropleth maps. Results were classified into hazard as defined by United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) under various seasons in 4 divisions of Karachi. During autumn 2019, unhealthy AQI (181) was recorded in October. AQI in winter 2019- 2020 increased further to 214 in December. In spring 2020, AQI became hazardous to 224 in February but prominently decreased after implementation of lockdown in April to 94. During summer 2020, noticeable drop was observed to 22 in June. While in July 2020, when lockdown was partially lifted, AQI reached to 88 and then slowly stabilized. After end of lockdown in October 2020, unhealthy AQI, 175, was observed. The fluctuations in AQI values is a strong evidence that anthropogenic activities majorly contribute in the degradation of air quality. In order to reduce the hazard, it is recommended to increase green infrastructure of the city to dilute hazardous compounds. Decrease in lawlessness with increase in heavy fines would effectively stimulate sustainability.

Biography

Falak Naeem has her expertise in environmental monitoring and Geographic Information Science (GIS) system. Her research based on air quality evaluation through cell phone and biomonitoring technique will provide cheap and convenient means of conquering the issue of air pollution for a developing country like Pakistan. She has also presented her various research work in International Conferences and is currently providing her services as a lecturer. The research presented above will assist decision-makers, environmentalists, government officials, law-enforcing bodies and researchers in determining point source of environmental pollution to reduce loss of human lives and maintain healthy environment as per the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Lubna Ghazal has been linked with research and education sector since 12 years. She has raised various environmental issues and natural hazards on different forums. She is currently an Assistant Professor and is also working on a project of sustainable organic farming.