Which Indian Institute of Technology's Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences (CORAL) found in its research that surface ozone pollution has emerged as a critical issue affecting India’s agriculture?​

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (A) IIT Kharagpur

Explanation:

• The Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences (CORAL) at IIT Kharagpur has conducted research showing that surface ozone pollution is becoming a critical issue affecting India’s agriculture.
• Ozone (O₃) at the ground level is a harmful air pollutant formed by chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in sunlight.
• While stratospheric ozone protects us from UV radiation, surface ozone is toxic to crops, reducing photosynthesis, growth, and yield.
• According to the study, crops like wheat and rice are particularly vulnerable, and this pollution may cause significant agricultural losses in India.

Information Booster:

• Ozone is considered a secondary pollutant, meaning it is not emitted directly but formed through chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
• India, being an agriculture-dependent economy, faces the dual challenge of air pollution and food security risks.
• The findings emphasize the need for emission control policies to reduce ozone precursors and protect agriculture.

Additional Knowledge:

• IIT Mumbai (IIT Bombay) – Known for research in climate modeling and air quality, but not CORAL.
• IIT Guwahati – Strong in biotechnology and sustainable energy research.
• IIT Kanpur – Focuses on environmental engineering and air pollution studies, but CORAL is not located here.