Surface measurements of atmospheric electrical conductivity at Jnanabharathi Campus, Bengaluru (12.96° N, 77.56° E)

Abstract

Simultaneous measurements of the atmospheric electrical conductivity (σ) and meteorological parameters were carried out at Jnanabharathi campus, Bangalore University (an urban station), Bengaluru, (12.96° N, 77.56° E) for the first time.  Gerdien condenser setup for σ and mini boundary layer mast (micro meteorological tower) for weather parameters was used in this study.  The observations show that the change in daily and weekly variations of σ is strong dependent of activity of Radon (²²²Rn) gas and meteorological parameters (which defines the stability of the lower troposphere), respectively.  We observed significant influences of atmospheric convective instability on the σ and a negative correlation of -0.56 was found between σ and accumulated rain fall for 2014.  The average σ for the study period was found to be 4.02 ± 0.02 x 10^-14 S/m with higher values during winter compared to summer and monsoon.   In future it is planned to use the air conductivity measurements for atmospheric stability, pollution and climate change studies.