Comparison of UV Index and Total Ozone Column of Aura/OMI and Ground Measurement from Nepal Himalayas

Abstract

Ground UV index and total ozone measured from four stations of Nepal Himalaya using NILU UV Multiband Filter Radiometer (MBFR) were compared with that of the Aura/OMI satellite products using the data from October 2008 to December 2010. The main goal of the validation was to find how the satellite products deviate with that of ground measurement in the mountainous sites where the stations have unique set of geographical and environmental conditions. The altitudes of the stations vary from 72 m to 2850 m in a short span of horizontal distance. The comparison was done for clear-sky and cloudy-sky condition using Cloud Transmission Factor (CLT) as a proxy. It was found that UV indices estimated by the satellite have higher values compared to ground instrument. The relative difference (bias) of the four stations are varied from 34.5 ± 24.0% to 47.9 ± 17.4% for cloud free condition and from 106.4 ± 81.44 % to 286.4 ± 254.8% for cloudy condition. The correlation coefficients are more than 0.8 for cloud free condition. The total ozone column comparison showed the mean relative difference (bias) range from -2.17 ± 3.52% to 2.97 ± 3.92% under cloud free condition and -4.42 ± 5.64% to 1.36 ± 6.14% under cloudy condition. The possible factors for this discrepancy are discussed and some important factors are highlighted.

Wavelet Analysis of Atmospheric Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation on Solar Cycle-24 over Lumbini, Nepal

“…Similarly, in Pokhara (28.22 • N, 83.32 • E, 850 m), observations from October 2008 to December 2010 indicated a TOC of 274.3 DU, whereas Biratnagar (26.45 • N, 87.27 • E, 72 m) exhibited a slightly higher average of 285.5 DU. In contrast, data from Jumla (29.28 • N, 82.16 • E, 2300 m) recorded between 2008 and 2014 showed an average TOC of 271.8 ± 14.1 DU [45,46]. Extending this body of work, our longitudinal study in Lumbini over eleven years (2008-2018) revealed a TOC of 279 ± 10 DU, underscoring the distinctive spatial variations in ozone concentration across different locales.…”

Study of UV Index and Total Ozone Climatology Over Bhairahawa, Pokhara, and Lumle in Nepal

“…Since the discovery of the ozone hole, multiple worldwide stations have been the subject of extensive research and comparisons between ultraviolet (UV) radiation and ozone columns at high latitudes. These studies have revealed a range of values in the troposphere and stratosphere, which have provided important new information about the intricate dynamics of ozone distribution and how it affects UV radiation [5,21].…”