Aerosol and CO emissions during meji burning

摘要

Biomass burning produces emission of a whole variety of trace gases1, which is a matter of concern due to its effects on atmospheric chemistry and the climate system. We report emission attributes of meji2 burning, a festive biomass burning ritual, in Assam and the neighbouring states of northeast India. Bhogali Bihu, the harvest festival of the people of Assam, is celebrated during mid-January each year with an overnight feast on the eve, Uruka, and lighting of the meji at the dawn of Bihu. Assam has a population of 26.66 million spread over an area of 78438 sq. km and has 16,312 villages housing over 87% of the state’s population3. As such, there is no estimate of the number of mejis burnt each year; however, the number will be on a much higher side than the number of villages. This would account for numerous tonnes of biomass being burnt at a time.