Investigating Contributions of Total Column Ozone Variation on Some Meteorological Parameters in Nigeria

Abstract

The relationship between some meteorological parameters and variation of total column ozone (TCO) concentration in Nigeria is studied from 1998-2012 . The results using a descriptive analysis revealed a seasonal ozone variation having the same trend in all the stations during the period of study. High variability of TCO occurred between December and March coinciding with the period of dry season and low variability of TCO was observed in August coinciding with the period of rainy season. The observed trends in all the stations show that the TCO variation in Nigeria is mostly caused by natural occurrences. Calabar and Port Harcourt stations showed a high percent of TCO variability, while Kano and Maiduguri indicated a low percentage of TCO variability. Using Spearman correlation analysis, TCO concentration has a strong negative correlation with temperature in some stations with correlation coefficient (r) (- 0.8392, -0.8531, -0.7832, -8881 and -0.7902) for Calabar, Port Harcourt, Makurdi, Lagos and Ilorin respectively. Kano and Maiduguri showed a weak positive correlation coefficient (r) 0.4965 and 0.3776 respectively. Positive correlation observed in Kano and Maiduguri could be as a result of high dehydration of water vapour in these stations due to seasonal harmattan and latitudinal effects. Probably, some of the substances that could deplete ozone such as HCl, aerosol are soluble in water thereby being washed off by rain during wet season leading to maximum TCO concentration during rainy sea son. Consequently, the observed phenomenon is through transportation of ozone content through the influence of Brewer-Dobson circulation. Again, during wet season, there is the mechanism of low pressure and lower tropopause height phenomenon, therefore, total ozone enhancement. Interestingly, variation in TCO is part of symbolic tools for tropospheric meteorology alteration and this invariably leads to climate change.