Estimation of the Monthly Albedo of the Earth’s Atmosphere over Sokoto, Nigeria

Journal Title: Archives of Current Research International - Year 2017, Vol 7, Issue 3

Abstract

In this study, the shortwave solar energy balancing at the edge of the earth’s atmosphere was employed to estimate the variation of albedo for Sokoto, Nigeria (Latitude 13.02°N, Longitude 05.25°E and altitude 350.8 m above sea level). The measured meteorological parameters of monthly average daily global solar radiation, minimum and maximum temperature, relative humidity and rainfall during a period of thirty one years (1980-2010) were utilized in this study. The results show that the albedo depicts direct opposite relationship with the clearness index, an inverse relationship with the emitting earth’s surface temperature and direct relationship with the wavelength for the study area. The highest value of albedo simulated was in the month of August (0.4925) and the lowest in the month of November (0.3185). The emitting earth surface temperature for each month ranged between 235.2214 K in August and 253.2080 K in November, these values agrees closely to the standard emitting earth surface temperature (255.0000 K). The maximum emitting wavelength revealed that the radiation is longwave and are found within the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The albedo deduced from this study ranged from 0.3185 to 0.4925 which are consistent with the possible values of albedo of different surface covering the earth’s surface and agrees closely to the standard planetary albedo (0.3000). The estimated albedo is an important input parameter in evaluating solar energy collectors, radiative transfer in the atmosphere and studies dealing with thermal balance in the atmosphere. The variation of albedo with rainfall revealed that the highest and lowest albedo were observed in August and November where the region has its peak value in rainy season and onset of dry season. The highest albedo observed corresponds to the lowest solar radiation in August. The highest albedo observed in August corresponds to the minimum temperature attained in August when it decreases during the rainy season. The albedo and relative humidity depicts almost similar pattern and attained their highest values in August. The regression equations for estimating the albedo in relation to other parameters revealed that the clearness index and rainfall contributes most in albedo estimation for the study area under investigation and regions with similar climatic information.

Authors and Affiliations

D. O. Akpootu, M. I. Iliyasu

Keywords

Related Articles

Mechanical and Acoustic Emission Behavior of Mg-Li Based Alloys Compressed Before and After Pre-Deformation by Intensive Strain Methods

The behavior of acoustic emission (AE) and its relationships with mechanisms of compression deformations of Mg-Li and Mg-Li-Al based alloys before and after the processing by intensive strain methods such as the ECAP (Eq...

Characterization of Particulate Matter Collected at Mysore City Roadways in Association with Urban Traffic Condition

Aim: To identify the source of particulate matter (PM) emissions in Mysore urban city roadways by characterizing PM of different aerodynamic diameters (PM2.5 and PM10) using various advanced techniques and finding their...

Classification of Causes and Strategies for Curbing Market Fire in Nigeria

Classification of causes of market fire in Nigeria is a study aimed at identifying and classifying the causes of market fire in Nigeria from the market users’ perspective. The study considered markets with high commercia...

An Assessment of Sustainable Energy-efficient Strategies for Retrofitted Building Development in Abuja, Nigeria

Building and construction designs are expected to be smart; characterized with less negative environmental impacts and are to be more or less economically sustainable. In the face of changing climate and thermal discomfo...

Assessment of Proximate, Vitamins, Minerals and Anti-nutrients Compositions of Unprocessed Vigna aconitifolia (Moth Bean) Seeds

Proximate, vitamins, minerals and anti-nutrients compositions of unprocessed Vigna aconitifolia (moth bean) were assessed using standard procedures. Proximate compositions (%) of the sample were moisture, protein, fibre...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP320177
  • DOI 10.9734/ACRI/2017/33196
  • Views 76
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

D. O. Akpootu, M. I. Iliyasu (2017). Estimation of the Monthly Albedo of the Earth’s Atmosphere over Sokoto, Nigeria. Archives of Current Research International, 7(3), 1-10. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-320177