The highest atmospheric pollution monitoring station in the world (Ev-K²-CNR Committee’s ABC-Pyramid station) located in Khumbu Valley at a height of 5,079 m has begun to collect data on the composition of the atmosphere over the Himalayas and the Asian plateau.

The monitoring station.

The monitoring station.
(Photo courtesy: Ev-K²-CNR)

A press release issued by the Ev-K²-CNR Committee on Thursday said, “Continuous measurements are being carried out, using instruments like nephelometer, DMPS-SMPS, optical particle counter, black carbon and ozone analyser. All meteorological parameters are also being monitored.”

“Hi-volume sampling for aerosol chemical composition (inorganic, organic, mass and dust) and steel flask sampling for the analyses of halocarbons relevant for climate issues have also begun, while measurements of AOD will be started in the coming months,” the statement adds.

ABC-Pyramid will make up for a lack of crucial information from remote, high altitude areas in the South Asian region on the environmental consequences of the rapid economic development of one of the most densely populated areas of the world.

“Stations at High Altitude for Research on the Environment in Asia (SHARE-Asia) program, aims to provide data on background conditions of the troposphere, while helping researchers quantify pollution levels at high altitudes of the Himalayan ridges and study regional and long-range air mass transport of natural and anthropogenic compounds,” the statement adds.