Impact of Urbanization and Agriculture cycles on Urban Heat Island Patterns and Aerosol Optical Depth over a City in Indo-Gangetic Plain, India

The present study explores the complex dynamics of land utilization, urbanization, and environmental factors within the Kanpur (26.4499° N, 80.3319° E) region, situated amidst the extensive agricultural landscapes of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). By examining various land classes, including vegetation, built-up areas, barren/fallow lands, and water bodies, during cultivation and harvest periods, we unveil a dynamic interplay influenced by seasonal agricultural cycles on urban heat island patterns. These transitions in land cover significantly impact Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD). Analysis of LST during cultivation and harvest periods reveals distinct temperature patterns, consistently higher in the city during cultivation but shifting to fallow and barren areas post-harvest. The UHI intensity exhibits dynamic variations during both cultivation and harvest periods, with UHI hotspots moving from the city to the outskirts, closely aligning with changes in land cover. Similarly, AOD patterns vary during cultivation and harvest, indicating increased AOD post-harvest, particularly in agricultural areas without crops. Higher AOD values during the harvest underscore the influence of land use land cover (LULC) changes on atmospheric aerosols. Concurrent with UHI trends, the Urban Air Pollution Index (UAPI) demonstrates that pollution hotspots shift from the city to the suburbs during the harvest. The study provides insights into the influence of urbanization on increasing zones of UHI and pollution hotspots within cities for proper environmental management practices.