Investigation of the impact of atmospheric particles on solar radiation at Nsukka, Nigeria

Using a well-calibrated integrating nephelometer of sensitivity 10⁻⁷/m, we have successfully measured the scattering extinction coefficient of atmospheric fine particles, b_sp at Nsukka, Nigeria, at latitude 6.8°N and longitude 7.35°E and an elevation of 488 m above sea level.

The values of b_sp recorded are 10.0 × 10⁻⁴/m (maximum) and 0.17 × 10⁻⁴/m (minimum). We have also investigated the impact of the scattering extinction coefficient on solar radiation. Results of our investigation reveal that, for high b_sp, mean insolation is generally low, and the reverse is the case for low b_sp. It appears that there is no correlation between instantaneous (hourly) extinction coefficient and insolation for the period covered.