Spatiotemporal analysis of atmospheric aerosols in African environments using MERRA-2 data (1980–2024): Impacts on climate extremes

Summary: This study investigates atmospheric aerosol trends and their climatic impacts across Africa from 1980 to 2024 using MERRA-2 reanalysis data. It reveals rising concentrations of organic and black carbon, dust, and PM2.5, largely driven by industrialization and urbanization. These aerosols in...

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Main Author: Daniel O. Omokpariola
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:iScience
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004225012568
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author Daniel O. Omokpariola
author_facet Daniel O. Omokpariola
author_sort Daniel O. Omokpariola
collection DOAJ
description Summary: This study investigates atmospheric aerosol trends and their climatic impacts across Africa from 1980 to 2024 using MERRA-2 reanalysis data. It reveals rising concentrations of organic and black carbon, dust, and PM2.5, largely driven by industrialization and urbanization. These aerosols influence climate extremes by altering radiation balance and cloud dynamics, contributing to increased heatwave frequency, temperature rise, and precipitation variability. The study employs spatiotemporal analysis and predictive modeling to assess aerosol-climate interactions and their implications for human health, agriculture, and water resources. Findings highlight consistent warming, worsening drought conditions, and elevated public health risks, particularly in urban and arid regions. This work underscores the need for targeted adaptation strategies and air quality management to mitigate the socio-environmental impacts of climate change in Africa.
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spelling doaj-art-9e300fa914aa4d09ab61c61b06647b952025-08-20T03:49:55ZengElsevieriScience2589-00422025-08-0128811299510.1016/j.isci.2025.112995Spatiotemporal analysis of atmospheric aerosols in African environments using MERRA-2 data (1980–2024): Impacts on climate extremesDaniel O. Omokpariola0Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology Research Unit, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria; Department of Production and Technical, Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) Africa Fertilizers Nigeria Limited, Abuja, Nigeria; Corresponding authorSummary: This study investigates atmospheric aerosol trends and their climatic impacts across Africa from 1980 to 2024 using MERRA-2 reanalysis data. It reveals rising concentrations of organic and black carbon, dust, and PM2.5, largely driven by industrialization and urbanization. These aerosols influence climate extremes by altering radiation balance and cloud dynamics, contributing to increased heatwave frequency, temperature rise, and precipitation variability. The study employs spatiotemporal analysis and predictive modeling to assess aerosol-climate interactions and their implications for human health, agriculture, and water resources. Findings highlight consistent warming, worsening drought conditions, and elevated public health risks, particularly in urban and arid regions. This work underscores the need for targeted adaptation strategies and air quality management to mitigate the socio-environmental impacts of climate change in Africa.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004225012568Atmospheric scienceAtmospheric chemistryAtmospheric observation
spellingShingle Daniel O. Omokpariola
Spatiotemporal analysis of atmospheric aerosols in African environments using MERRA-2 data (1980–2024): Impacts on climate extremes
iScience
Atmospheric science
Atmospheric chemistry
Atmospheric observation
title Spatiotemporal analysis of atmospheric aerosols in African environments using MERRA-2 data (1980–2024): Impacts on climate extremes
title_full Spatiotemporal analysis of atmospheric aerosols in African environments using MERRA-2 data (1980–2024): Impacts on climate extremes
title_fullStr Spatiotemporal analysis of atmospheric aerosols in African environments using MERRA-2 data (1980–2024): Impacts on climate extremes
title_full_unstemmed Spatiotemporal analysis of atmospheric aerosols in African environments using MERRA-2 data (1980–2024): Impacts on climate extremes
title_short Spatiotemporal analysis of atmospheric aerosols in African environments using MERRA-2 data (1980–2024): Impacts on climate extremes
title_sort spatiotemporal analysis of atmospheric aerosols in african environments using merra 2 data 1980 2024 impacts on climate extremes
topic Atmospheric science
Atmospheric chemistry
Atmospheric observation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004225012568
work_keys_str_mv AT danieloomokpariola spatiotemporalanalysisofatmosphericaerosolsinafricanenvironmentsusingmerra2data19802024impactsonclimateextremes