Impact of sugarcane trash burning on ambient air quality in agricultural regions of Northern Haryana, India

Abstract

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) trash burning poses a significant threat to air quality and public health. While prior studies have focused on the impacts of wheat and rice residue burning, the effects of sugarcane trash burning remain underexplored. This study aimed to compare air quality at six locations in Northern Haryana over two years to assess the impact of sugarcane burning on ambient air quality. Results showed that pollutant concentrations increased significantly during burning, with PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO₂ levels increasing by 1.49, 1.63, 1.69, and 1.09 times, respectively (p < 0.05). The carbon monoxide (CO) concentration also significantly increased with a mean value of 1.56 ± 0.26 mg/m³ occurring during the sugarcane trash-burning period. The PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and CO concentrations exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), though SO₂ and NO₂ concentrations remained within permissible limits. Additionally, the study identified strong correlations between pollutant levels and meteorological variables, with higher humidity increasing pollutants and wind speed significantly decreasing pollutant concentrations. The PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio of 0.76 indicates the emission of finer particles, and SEM–EDX analysis of the PM_2.5 filter paper revealed potassium-enriched particles likely from trash burning. The air quality index declined to very poor (category V) during burning periods, underscoring the need for regulatory measures. This study revealed a significant increase in pollutant concentration, during sugarcane trash burning causing a marked decline in the AQI and exacerbating environmental and health risks. This highlights the urgent need for regulatory mandates and adoption of sustainable trash management methods.