A study investigated the interactions between Urban Heat island (UHI) effects and pollutants | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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A study investigated the interactions between Urban Heat island (UHI) effects and pollutants

Posted 08 May 2024

2 min read

  • The study conducted by NIT Trichy has identified that there is a significantly higher concentration of pollutants in the urban areas compared to the rural areas.
    • Aerosols, Carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) has directly impacted the UHI phenomenon.

About Urban Heat Island (UHI)

  • It occurs when a city experiences much warmer temperatures than nearby rural areas. 
  • The urban heat-island effect can raise temperatures by 5°C to 10°C, exacerbating heat waves.

 

  • Causes:
    • Reduced Natural Landscapes in Urban Areas: Hard, dry surfaces in urban areas, such as roofs, sidewalks, roads, buildings, and parking lots, etc.
    • Urban Geometry: surfaces and structures obstructed by neighboring buildings become large thermal masses that cannot release their heat readily.
  • Heat Generated from Human Activities: Vehicles, air-conditioning units, and industrial facilities, etc

Impact of UHI

  • Higher energy consumption: e.g., increased demand for air conditioning to cool buildings.
  • Health: respiratory problems, sunstroke, dehydration, tiredness, etc.

Way Forward

  • Use of high albedo (fraction of light that is reflected by a body or surface) and cool surface materials can reduce the impact of UHI.
  • Further,Urban greenery, green roofs/surfaces, etc can also reduce its impact.
  • Tags :
  • Urban Heat island
  • pollutants
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