Theoretical study of aerosols loading and retention over Bolgatanga, Ghana

Abstract

The aerosols loading and retention over West Africa have grave effect on life-forms through the impact on health, farming, rainfall pattern, cloud formation, and regional climate. Bolgatanga can be found on the latitude and longitude of 10.78°N and 0.85°W, respectively. This research is focused on an investigative consideration of the negative effect of atmospheric aerosols over Bolgatanga in Ghana through a conceptual model using analytical and descriptive statistical methods with MATLAB curve-fitting tool. The model was verified using aerosol optical depth data set from satellite imagery—multi-angle imaging specto-reflectometer (MISR)—obtained over a period of 13 years. The highest percentage increase of aerosol retention was 64.27% over the research site. The model was used to estimate the atmospheric constants as 0.67, tuning constants as 0.24, and phase difference as ± π/4. The physical interpretation of the results was analyzed systematically.