From Sky to Soil

The Ecological Journey of Particulate Pollution and Pathways to Sustainable Airscapes
Erscheinungsjahr 2026
ISBN: 978-3-032-31990-6
Verlag: Springer

Buch, Englisch, 293 Seiten, Format (B × H): 160 mm x 241 mm, Gewicht: 565 g

The book describes how microscopic particles in the air—born of combustion, dust storms, agriculture, and urban life—travel from the atmosphere into soils, water, plants, and food chains, reshaping ecosystems and human health. From Sky to Soil maps this ecological journey, explaining the physics and chemistry of particulate matter (from coarse dust to ultrafine nanoparticles), the meteorological currents that ferry particles across regions, and the biogeochemical consequences of their deposition. Drawing on decades of fieldwork across the Indo-Gangetic plains, Himalayan foothills, and Southern Africa, the book links urban emissions to rural impacts: diminished crop yields, altered soil microbiomes, pollinator declines, and contaminated food systems. It exposes underappreciated threats—particulate-bound pesticides and pathogens, heavy-metal-laden urban dust—and quantifies risks to communities, particularly children in small cities. Yet this is not a catalogue of despair. Grounded in rigorous science, the volume offers practical pathways to restoration: phytoremediation, urban greening, policy levers, and design strategies that build resilient airscapes. Chapters synthesize mechanistic insights, regional case studies, and actionable solutions for researchers, educators, planners, and policymakers. Clear, evidence-rich, and urgent, From Sky to Soil bridges disciplines to show that cleaning our skies is essential to healing our soils, protecting food security, and preserving biodiversity. For anyone committed to sustainable cities, healthy ecosystems, and informed climate action, this book is an indispensable roadmap from knowledge to action.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Sarkar, Abhijit

Singh, Pardeep

Barman, Chandan

Popek, Robert

Fachgebiete

• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umweltverschmutzung, Umweltkriminalität, Umweltrecht
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften Ökologie
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Nachhaltigkeit
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften
• Naturwissenschaften Agrarwissenschaften Agrarwissenschaften
• Geowissenschaften Geologie Meteorologie, Klimatologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Physico-chemical Nature of Particulate Pollution: A real-time global threat.- Meteorology, Transport, and Deposition of PM: Causes, Impacts and Concerns.- Urban Expansion and Air Quality Dynamics in the Himalayan Foothills: Insights from a Regional Case Study.-Fate and Long-Range Movement of Volatile Pesticides as Particulate Organic Pollutants: Mechanisms, Risksd Solutions.- From Air to Earth and Water: The Biogeochemical Implications of Particulate Matter Deposition.- Linking Atmospheric Particulate Deposition to Alterations in Plant Community Structure and Biodiversity.- Airborne Particulate Matter and Plant Reproductive Success: A Comprehensive Review.- Airborne Particulates Threaten Pollinator Diversity and Crop Productivity: Implications for Food Security.- Cold-chain aerosols as microbial vectors: Listeria–particulate interactions in food storage air.- Assessing Human Exposure to Potentially Toxic Trace Elements in Urban Soils and Road Dust: A Case Study from Southern Africa.- Harnessing Plants for Cleaner Air: Phytoremediation as a Green Strategy Against Particulate Matter Pollution.- Advancing Urban Resilience and Sustainable Development through Green Infrastructure.

Über Autor(innen)

 Dr. Pardeep Singh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at PGDAV College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India. He holds a PhD in Environmental Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi. His academic and research work spans environmental science, sustainability, pollution remediation, waste management, natural resource conservation, and climate change, with growing emphasis on the ecological and developmental challenges of the Indian Himalayan Region. His work engages with themes such as mountain environments, climate vulnerability, environmental sustainability, and the role of local and traditional knowledge in building resilience and supporting conservation in Himalayan communities. Dr. Singh has an extensive publication and editorial record. According to the uploaded CV, he has edited more than 60 books and has published more than 100 scholarly contributions, including research papers, review articles, and book chapters. He has also contributed to major academic discussions on sustainability, climate change, and mountain environments, including work related to the Anthropocene and the Indian Himalayas. With substantial editorial experience and an interdisciplinary research profile, he brings valuable insight to scholarship on the participatory role of women in environmental conservation and community-centred sustainability.