Annular Solar Eclipse on 26 December 2019 and its Effect on Trace Pollutant Concentrations and Meteorological Parameters in Kannur, India: a Coastal City

Abstract

This paper highlights the variations of surface ozone (O3), total column ozone (TCO), oxides of nitrogen (NO and NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ammonia (NH3), volatile organic compounds (Benzene, Tolune, Ethyle Benzene, Xylenes (collectively called BTEX)), particulate matters (PM10 and PM2.5), and meteorological parameters at the time of an annular solar eclipse on 26 December 2019 at Kannur town in Kerala, South India. The maximum solar obscuration has resulted a decrease in solar radiation by 93%, air temperature by 16.3%, wind speed by 36.1% and an increase in relative humidity by 27.1% at this coastal location. Along with the reduction in solar radiation, the concentration of surface O3 (61.5%) and total column O3 (11.8%) have been observed to decrease at the maximum phase of solar eclipse. CO and NO2 concentration were found to be increased by 28.9% and 42.2%, respectively, while NO exhibited its typical diurnal variation. Further, a decrease in concentrations of SO2 by 17.6%, PM10 by 18.5%, and PM2.5 by 11.3% were observed. NH3 and BTEX were found to be higher than 11.3% and 22.6% of the concentrations in control days. All of these deviated parameters could be seen returning to their normal state after completing the eclipse episode. The variation of photodissociation coefficient j(NO2) values were theoretically calculated from the observed data, which shows a good agreement with the model simulated j(NO2) reduction. This is an extensive second observation on the variation of trace pollutants on solar eclipse, after the partial solar eclipse observed on 15 January 2010 at Kannur.