Monitoring of Atmospheric Carbon Monoxide fluxes in Predicting the Commencement ofPlanting Season in West Africa

摘要

A study of the influence of background Carbon Monoxide CO fluxes from 2000 to 2010 as released by satellite observatory system from the Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) instrument was done. Studies of the data for the twelve months of the year were done over the West African region from latitude 2°N to 15°N. The data for December and January to April followed a particular trend which was observed to be relevant in the prediction of when the new planting season could commence.The study revealed that the background CO fluxes averaged about 300ppbv in December and January and gradually reduces to about 220ppbv and UOppbv in March and April respectively. This trend was observed in the ten years studied. It could be suggested thus that an average of 35% to 45% decrease in December/January CO fluxes accumulation is a pointer to the beginning of the following planting season in the West African region. It was also observed that as the background CO flux dwindled, the locations ofhigh CO concentrations due to fossil fuel combustions and other anthropogenic activities were more distinct in comparison to the rest of the region.