An Investigation of the Ultraviolet Aerosol Index and Angstrom Exponent and Their Relationship with Meteorological Parameters over Nigeria Using Satellite Remote Sensing

Aerosols have a significant impact on solar radiation, air quality deterioration, and climate change. To effectively assess the consequences of aerosols, we have to initially recognize the spatiotemporal distributions of their characteristics. This article uses OMI retrieved UVAI and Aqua MODIS retrieved AE data to analyze the spatiotemporal distributions and inter-annual trends of absorbing aerosol across Nigeria. Significant spatio-temporal variations in UVAI were observed high in northern and low in southern regions. The mean UVAI and AE over Nigeria shows an increasing and decreasing trend of 3.16% year⁻¹ and − 1.62% year⁻¹. Annually, UVAI showed an increasing trend of 7.59%, 9.79%, 5.19%, 6.27%, 7.65%, 4.87%, 7.17%, 4.99%, 4.10%, and 6.73% over Delta, Niger, Edo, Sokoto, Kwara, Osun, Kogi, Ondo, Oyo, and Ogun states respectively whereas AE is decreasing at the rate of − 0.53% year⁻¹, − 2.50% year⁻¹, − 0.84% year⁻¹, − 1.18% year⁻¹, − 2.12% year⁻¹, − 1.19% year⁻¹, − 1.12% year⁻¹, − 0.85% year⁻¹, − 1.77% year⁻¹, and − 1.06% year⁻¹ over Delta, Niger, Edo, Sokoto, Kwara, Osun, Kogi, Ondo, Oyo, and Ogun states respectively. UVAI was observed high during winter associated with dust storm activities. The HYSPLIT cluster analysis reveals the dominance of natural aerosols over northern and southern regions and Urban/industrial pollutants over the central regions of Nigeria. A strong positive correlation of UVAI with precipitation and temperature is observed in the northern regions of Nigeria. In accordance with the outcomes of this study, multiple methods such as planting more trees, improving fuel quality, etc. can be employed to lower the concentration of particle pollution.