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Paddy rice fields (PRFs) are a potent source of global atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs), particularly CH 4 and CO 2 . Despite socio-environmental importance, the emission of GHGs has rarely been measured from Haryana agricultural fields. We have used new technology to track ambient concentration and soil flux of GHGs (CH 4 , CO 2 , and H 2 O) near Karnal's Kuchpura agricultural fields, India. The observations were conducted using a Trace Gas Analyzer (TGA) and Soil Flux Smart Chamber over various parts, i.e., disturbed and undisturbed zone of PRFs. The undisturbed zone usually accounts for a maximum ambient concentration of ~ 2434.95 ppb and 492.46 ppm of CH 4 and CO 2 , respectively, higher than the average global concentration. Soil flux of CH 4 and CO 2 was highly varied, ranging from 0.18 to 11.73 nmol m -2  s -1 and 0.13-4.98 μmol m -2  s -1 , respectively. An insignificant correlation was observed between ambient concentration and soil flux of GHGs from PRFs. Waterlogged (i.e., irrigated and rain-fed) soil contributed slightly lower CH 4 flux to the atmosphere. Interestingly, such an agricultural field shows low CO 2 and CH 4 fluxes compared to the field affected by the backfilling of rice husk ash (RHA). This article suggests farmers not mix RHA to increase soil fertility because of their adverse environmental effects. Also, this study is relevant in understanding the GHGs' emissions from paddy rice fields to the atmosphere, their impacts, and mitigating measures for a healthy ecosystem., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The Himalaya, by virtue of its location and stupendous height, acts as a great climatic divide and regulates meteorological conditions in the subcontinent regions of South Asia. However, the associated complexities and their effects are yet to be resolved to understand the meteorology of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). In this review volume, we synthesize the results and inferences of several studies carried out in the IHR using in situ data, remotely sensed data, and model-based meteorological observations. Results provide insights into climate change, scientific gaps, and their causes in deciphering meteorological observations from the last century to recent decades and envisage impacts of climate change on water reservoirs in the future. Warming trend of air temperature, in contrast to global temperature, has been projected in recent decades (after 1990) with a greater warming rate in the maximum temperature than the minimum temperature. This drifting of air temperature from the beginning of last century accelerates the diurnal temperature range of the Himalayas. An elevation-dependent warming trend is mostly perceived in the northwest Himalayan region, implicating an increased warming rate in the Greater Himalaya as compared to the lower and Karakoram Himalaya. No definite trends of precipitation have been observed over different regions of the IHR, suggesting heterogeneous cryosphere-climate interaction between western and central Himalaya. In this review, we have tried to emphasize to the scientific community and policy-makers for enhancing the knowledge of physical and dynamical processes associated with meteorological parameters in the Himalayan terrain., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Evaluation of geogenic carbon fluxes between solid Earth and its atmosphere is essential to understand the global geological carbon cycle. Some of the key geogenic CO 2 suppliers are the magmatic mantle and metamorphic degassing from active and quiescent volcanoes, fault zones, geothermal systems and CO 2 rich groundwater. Indian Himalayan geothermal field hosts about 340 geothermal springs in natural as well as artesian condition that eject hot waters and volatiles with varied temperature and chemical composition. These sites provide an opportunity to analyse tectonically driven gas emissions and their impact on regional and global climate. Here we adopt a method for direct measurement of Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC ≈ HCO 3 ) concentration in the geothermal springs to estimate geogenic CO 2 flux from an active region based on water discharge and area of geothermal system between the tectonic boundaries of the Main Central Thrust (MCT) and Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) of the Garhwal (Northwest) Himalaya. In the study area, geothermal spring water contain high δ 13 C DIC ratio (- 8.5‰ to + 4.0‰ VPDB ), and among the major ions, bicarbonate (HCO 3 - ) varies by an order of magnitude from 1697 to 21,553 μEq/L; chloride and sodium vary from 90 to 19,171 μEq/L and 436 to 23181 μEq/L. The elevated concentration of Cl - and Na + in geothermal spring waters suggests affinity towards their deeper origin. These geothermal springs cover a large area of nearly 10,000 km 2 of the Garhwal region showing a significant discharge of CO 2 rich water with an estimated carbon dioxide degassing flux of ~7.2 × 10 6  mol/year to the atmosphere. Considering widespread occurrences of geothermal springs in tectonically active areas worldwide, the proposed direct measurement of DIC may be used as a reliable tool to estimate CO 2 fluxes in different active orogenic settings within the Earth system. Results of stable isotopes of δ 18 O (VSMOW) and δD (VSMOW) in these geothermal spring waters follow the Global Meteoric Water Line (GMWL), suggesting affinity of their recharge through the meteoric origin.