On the association between aerosol optical depths and surface meteorological conditions in a tropical coastal environment

Abstract

Columnar aerosol spectral optical depth data, estimated using a ground based passive multi-wavelength solar radiometer at the tropical coastal station of Thumbe, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) (8.55 N, 77 E) during the period November 1985 to May 1991, are examined to study the association of the seasonal variations in the optical depths and their association with the prevailing meteorological conditions. A systematic seasonal variation has been observed, with the optical depths maximising in the summer/pre-monsoon season and reaching a minimum in the winter season. Significant association has been observed between the seasonal variations of aerosol spectral optical depths with those of the (on-shore) surface wind speed and the rainfall, The implications of the findings are discussed.