TITLE:
A GIS Based Approach to Back Trajectory Analysis and Mass Concentration & Dispositions of Aerosols in Nairobi, Kenya
AUTHORS:
Zachary Misiani, Yin Lun, Shengjie Niu, Jingjing Lü, Luyao Zhang
KEYWORDS:
Source Identification, Aerosol Particles, Mascarene, Azores, St. Helena, Arabia
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.7 No.2,
February
27,
2019
ABSTRACT: The origins and pathways of atmospheric aerosols in Kenya are examined in
Nairobi for the three years (2015-2017) using HYSPLIT model and meteorological
data. Aerosol concentrations in Kenya depended on the frequency of
the air mass from the northeastern Asian Continent and southeastern Madagascar
Island. There was a direct correlation of more pollutants during dry
and hot seasons (JJA) of the year. To study the reasons for the seasonal variations,
the origins of the air mass flowing to Nairobi were analyzed by backward
air mass trajectory analysis. Monthly variations revealed that aerosols
are transported from different directions due to variation of winds flowing
and peak values were during July because of the increased emissions due to
higher temperature and stronger solar radiation during heating, while the
lowest value found in April was probably due to rain wash.