Browsing by Author "Susanta Mahato"

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Comprehensive Drought Vulnerability Assessment in Northwestern Odisha: A Fuzzy Logic and Analytical Hierarchy Process Integration Approach
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2023) Susanta Mahato; Gita Mandal; Barnali Kundu; Sonali Kundu; P.K. Joshi; Pankaj Kumar
Crafting a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impact of droughts, a complex geo-hazard profoundly affecting socio-economic aspects, entails the creation of a drought vulnerability map as a primary step. This study harmonizes geospatial techniques and the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (fuzzy AHP) to formulate such a map for northwestern Odisha, India. From six principal drought-induced vulnerability parameters, namely physical attributes, water demand and usage, agriculture, land use, groundwater and population/development, 22 sub-parameters were selected. Spatial layers were generated for each sub-parameter, followed by their fuzzification using a fuzzy membership approach. Subsequently, AHP was employed to establish parameter weights through pair-wise comparisons. By applying the weighted overlay method, drought vulnerability maps were generated, classifying regions into five vulnerability levels: very high, high, moderate, low, and very low. The outcomes indicate that roughly 33% of the area is classified as having high drought vulnerability. Validation of the approach using statistical metrics, including accuracy, root mean square error and mean absolute error, demonstrates its efficacy in gauging drought vulnerability, thereby aiding planners in devising effective drought mitigation strategies. © 2023 by the authors.
Early summer temperature anomalies and potential impacts on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in National Capital Region (NCR) of India
(Elsevier B.V., 2023) Susanta Mahato; Barnali Kundu; Nikunj Makwana; P.K. Joshi
This research aims to investigate the repercussions of an anomalous early summer Land Surface Temperature (LST) surge on food, energy, and human health within the National Capital Region (NCR) of India, with a specific focus on its potential influence on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To attain this objective, the study employed various methods to evaluate the magnitude of the deviation in LST. MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) images were utilized to compute the monthly diurnal LST range, and the Standard Anomaly (StA) approach was employed to account for data dispersion. Additionally, Innovative Trend Analysis (ITA) and Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) were conducted to perform regionally specific trend analysis. Furthermore, the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression method was applied to investigate the relationship between StA and crop yields. The findings indicate a significant temperature increase in March, with a deviation of 3.5 °C above the average range. Additionally, the study reveals the standard anomaly (StA) of Land Surface Temperature (LST) during March fell within the range of −0.706 to 2.783 °C, while in April, it ranged from −0.781 to 3.263 °C, and in May, it ranged from −3.001 to 0.525 °C. The key significance of the study lies in the impacts of this early summer warming on the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. The reduction in crop yields as a result of this warming poses a substantial threat to achieving the SDG-2 target of Zero Hunger. Moreover, the adverse health effects stemming from the early summer warming impede the achievement of the SDG-3.4.1 target. Additionally, the high energy consumption induced by the warming directly affects SDG-6 on affordable and clean energy. The research underscores the critical importance of addressing the impacts of early summer warming to ensure the successful achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the National Capital Region of India. Policymakers and stakeholders should take into account the findings of this study to implement targeted strategies that mitigate the adverse effects of early summer warming on food, energy, and human health, and thereby contribute to the realization of the SDGs. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.
Meteorological influences on air pollution dynamics in pollution epicentre of National Capital Region, India
(Elsevier Ltd, 2025) Susanta Mahato; Sonali Kundu; Jan Cermak; Pawan Kumar Joshi
This study analyzes the temporal variations and source characteristics of air pollution in Delhi, examining the influence of meteorological conditions on pollutant concentrations. The goal is to provide insights for policymakers to develop effective emission reduction strategies and improve air quality. Innovative Trend Analysis (ITA) and Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) were used to identify long-term trends and fluctuations in pollutants such as PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, and NH3 from 2018 to 2023. Continuous Wavelet Transformation (CWT) and Cross-Wavelet Transformation (XWT) were utilized to explore seasonal patterns and pollutant-meteorology interactions. Receptor modeling techniques, including non-parametric wind regression and conditional probability function analysis, were applied to identify major pollution sources. The study found that key emission sources were located to the west, south, and southwest of the monitoring site for most pollutants, with ozone precursors predominantly originating from the north. ITA and DFA revealed persistent long-range correlations in pollutant levels, driven by stable emission sources and seasonal meteorological effects. CWT analysis showed distinct periodic patterns in air quality, with worsening conditions during winter and summer. The research highlights the role of temperature inversions, low wind speeds, and regional pollutant transport in exacerbating pollution levels but emphasizes that human-driven emission sources remain the primary contributors to air quality deterioration. While meteorological factors influence pollution dispersion, they do not diminish the urgency of emission control measures. The findings support the development of targeted pollution control policies, including emission reduction from industrial, vehicular, and biomass burning sources. Advancing real-time air quality monitoring and integrating socio-economic considerations into air pollution management will enhance the effectiveness of interventions, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11 - urban sustainability and SDG 3 - public health). © 2025 Elsevier Ltd
Retraction notice to “Meteorological influences on air pollution dynamics in pollution epicentre of National Capital Region, India” [Chemosphere 377, May 2025, 144353] (Chemosphere (2025) 377, (S0045653525002954), (10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144353))
(Elsevier Ltd, 2025) Susanta Mahato; Sonali Kundu; Jan Cermak; Pawan Kumar Joshi
This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies/article-withdrawal). © 2025 Elsevier Ltd
Unravelling blue landscape fragmentation effects on ecosystem services in urban agglomerations
(Elsevier Ltd, 2024) Sonali Kundu; Narendra Kumar Rana; Susanta Mahato
The blue landscape (BL), which refers to the wetlands, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water, is of immense importance for a sustainable environment. It provides a variety of ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, water purification, soil fertility, and habitat for diverse flora and fauna. These services are crucial for sustaining the livelihoods of local communities and maintaining the health of the environment. In megacities like Kolkata, India, the BL is often subjected to fragmentation and degradation due to rapid urbanisation, industrialization, and other human activities. This has serious implications for ecosystem services and the overall health of the environment. This study is intended to value ecosystem service losses over the last 25 years and assess the influence of blue landscape fragmentation on ecosystem services in Kolkata, India. To accomplish this goal, satellite data was collected from 1994 to 2019 for both pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The results of the study showed that significant losses in ecosystem services were observed over this time period, primarily due to the decline of the East Kolkata Wetland and its conversion for settlement and agricultural purposes. Despite the existence of some policies aimed at protecting the wetland, more robust restrictions and remedial strategies are required to conserve and restore the blue landscape in Kolkata. This work adds to the corpus of research on the value of blue landscapes (BLs) and the environmental services they provide. The findings of this study highlight the need for increased attention to the conservation and management of BLs in India and provide a valuable foundation for future research and policy development. Furthermore, this research introduces the innovative concept of urban BLs as a nature-based framework for understanding urban landscape fragmentation, a novel contribution that fills a gap in the existing literature on this topic. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd
Wetland degradation and its impacts on livelihoods and sustainable development goals: An overview
(Elsevier B.V., 2024) Sonali Kundu; Barnali Kundu; Narendra Kumar Rana; Susanta Mahato
Wetlands, vital ecosystems that support 40 % of the world's species and serve as nature's water filters, are disappearing three times faster than forests. While global research extensively examines the increasing degradation of wetland health, there exists a significant research gap concerning its impact on livelihoods and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To address this gap, a systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, utilising data from 1270 database records and 350 research studies spanning 1990 to 2023. The study reveals alarming annual wetland health loss rates ranging from 0.02 % to 3.14 %, driven globally by built-up areas, agricultural expansion, climate change, and pollution. Notably, developing countries and those with lower development indices exhibit the highest rates of wetland health degradation, primarily attributed to agricultural and urban expansion, as well as pollution. The analysis establishes a negative correlation between wetland health degradation rates, driving factors, and key indicators such as the Sustainable Development Goal Index (SDGI) (r = −0.38), Environmental Performance Index (EPI) (r = −0.34), Income Classification (r = −0.42), and Human Development Index (HDI) (r = −0.38). The study emphasizes the imperative of improving economic and socio-ecological conditions to enhance conservation and restoration efforts in wetland areas, thereby contributing to the achievement of SDGs. The interconnectedness of wetland health with broader SDGs underscores the need for targeted interventions. Recommendations include prioritizing comprehensive strategies for environmental and societal well-being, urging policymakers and practitioners to consider the holistic implications of wetland health degradation in their decision-making processes. © 2024 Institution of Chemical Engineers