Navneet Kumar,
Nidhi Sinha,
- UG Scholar, Department of Geography, Ram Krishna Dwarika Mahavidyalaya, Patliputra University, Patna, Bihar, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Ram Krishna Dwarika Mahavidyalaya, Patliputra University, Patna, Bihar, India
Abstract
Air Quality Index (AQI) is a composite indicator used to communicate ambient air-quality conditions and their potential health implications. This study examines spatial and seasonal variation in AQI between Gaya city and Kusdihra village, representing urban and rural settings in Gaya district, Bihar. Secondary AQI observations were obtained from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) National Air Quality Index portal at eight fixed time-slots per day during two 20-day observation windows: 1–20 May 2024 (pre-monsoon) and 1–20 November 2024 (post-monsoon). Study-specific daily means were calculated from the eight observations and used for comparative analysis. The results show that mean AQI at Gaya increased from 132.11 in the pre-monsoon period to 181.77 in the post-monsoon period, while Kusdihra increased from 84.25 to 89.21. Gaya therefore recorded substantially poorer air quality in both periods and a much stronger post-monsoon deterioration. Day-wise observations also reveal marked short-term variability and episodic high-AQI conditions. The observed pattern is interpreted in relation to local anthropogenic activities, seasonal atmospheric dispersion and regional pollution influences, while recognising that the AQI dataset does not permit direct source attribution. The study highlights the value of settlement-sensitive monitoring in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain and the need to include rural and peri-urban areas in air-quality planning.
Keywords: Air quality index (AQI), rural-urban variation, seasonal variation, pre-monsoon, post-monsoon, Gaya, Kusdihra, Bihar, particulate pollution.
[This article belongs to International Journal of Climate Conditions ]
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International Journal of Climate Conditions
| Volume | 03 | |
| Issue | 02 | |
| Received | 08/09/2026 | |
| Accepted | 23/09/2026 | |
| Published | 24/09/2026 | |
| Publication Time | 16 Days |