This was highlighted in a study conducted by the Bose Institute, Kolkata, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur.Key Findings:Key sources of Air pollution: Pollutants enriched with black carbon from Kolkata and the Indo-Gangetic Plain along withlocalized sources such as biomass burning.Rising Reactive Oxygenated Species (ROS): Acidic components of PM2.5 pollutants with heavy metals is fostering thegeneration of ROS, posing a severe threat to mangrove cells.ROS are oxygen-containing radicals that are capable of independent existence with one or more unpaired electrons.About Sundarban Mangrove EcosystemWorld's largest mangrove ecosystem, named after the species Heritiera fomes, known as Sundri in Bengali.Located on world’s largest delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal in India and Bangladesh.Designated as a Biosphere Reserves and UNESCO World Heritage Site.Declared as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.Importance of Sundarban Mangrove EcosystemExtremely rich in biodiversity such as Bengal Tigers, GangeticDolphins etc.Mitigate climate change by sequestrating carbon.Reduces the fury of cyclonic storms and prevent erosion dueto tidal action.Millions of people depend on it for their livelihood andsustenance through fishing, etc.