Atmospheric pollution potentials over Africa

Abstract

In the present study the maximum mixing heights and ventilation factors for 48 radiosonde stations of the African continent and adjoining islands are determined on a monthly and annual basis using the upper air data for a period of 12 years, and climatic surface maximum temperature normals. The method used for the estimation is similar to that of Holzworth (l964a, 1964b). A correction to the estimated values is suggested to compensate for errors due to higher temperatures of pollutants. The maximum mixing heights and ventilation factors for the African continent and adjoining islands are in general higher than those found over the USA and India; the seasonal variability of these pollution potential parameters are less pronounced.