ANALYSIS OF SEASONALITY OF AIR QUALITY INDEX IN MUZAFFARNAGAR USING THE LINK RELATIVE METHOD

Air pollution has emerged as a serious environmental and public health issue in India, especially in industrial and agricultural regions like Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. To understand its seasonal behavior, this study analyses the Air Quality Index (AQI) data from January 2022 to December 2024 using the Link Relative Method. Daily AQI values were first aggregated into monthly averages to reduce daily fluctuations and capture broader seasonal trends. The link relative method was then applied to capture the continuous monthly fluctuations, facilitating the derivation of seasonal indices that reflect recurring patterns in air quality. These indices reveal clear seasonal patterns as high AQI levels during winter months like November and December, and improved air quality during the monsoon months such as July and August. The analysis highlights how climatic factors and anthropogenic activities jointly influence pollution levels throughout the year. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into temporal pollution dynamics, which can help plan localized mitigation strategies and inform timely public health responses for better air quality management in Muzaffarnagar and similar regions.