Influence of Artificial Negative Air Ion Generation on Atmospheric Ion Concentration and Air Quality in a Semi–Urban Region: A Study in Palus (17.0976° N, 74.4496° E), India

Atmospheric air ions are fundamental components of the Earth's electrical environment, continuously generated and depleted through natural and anthropogenic processes. Their distribution near the surface is governed by complex interactions involving atmospheric turbulence, aerosol pollution, radioactivity, and biological activity such as plant transpiration. This study examines the effect of an artificial negative air ion (NAI) generator on ion concentrations and pollution dynamics in Palus (17.0976° N, 74.4496° E), a semi-urban area in India. Measurements were conducted using a Gerdien-type air ion counter, designed and developed indigenously at the Physics Department of Arts, Commerce, and Science College, Palus. The study spanned 33 days in 2024, with data recorded at 30-second intervals to capture fine temporal variations. The findings demonstrate that aerosols significantly reduce atmospheric ion concentrations through ion-aerosol attachment, thereby diminishing electrical conductivity. In environments with high aerosol loading, naturally occurring negative ions exhibit reduced attachment efficiency, leading to lower negative ion concentrations. However, the deployment of an NAI generator substantially increased negative ion counts, peaking at 4.75×10² ions/cm³, while simultaneously suppressing positive ions to a minimum of 0.1×10² ions/cm³. This shift in ion balance correlated with a measurable reduction in the pollution index, suggesting potential benefits for air quality improvement in polluted settings. This research provides empirical evidence for the role of artificial ionization in modifying local ion-aerosol interactions, with implications for atmospheric science and pollution control strategies. Future studies should explore long-term effects, seasonal variations, and the scalability of NAI technology in diverse environmental contexts.