Exploring aerosol optical depth: unveiling meteorological impacts over Lumbini, Nepal

Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) in Lumbini, Nepal, shows a positive correlation with heavy rainfall and a negative one with relative humidity. This finding highlights the significant meteorological impacts on aerosol levels at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The study utilized data from the CIMEL sun photometer to analyze daily AOD variations alongside the Angstrom exponent and turbidity coefficient. While rainfall and humidity were key factors, other parameters like temperature, wind speed, and human activities also play roles in aerosol dynamics. However, insufficient data limited a comprehensive analysis of these additional variables.

Rijal, S., Adhikari, G. P., Basnet, N., Shrestha, P. M., Khatri, K., Tiwari, B. R., & Poudyal, K. N. (2025). Exploring aerosol optical depth: unveiling meteorological impacts over Lumbini, Nepal. Scientific World, 18(18), 99–105. https://doi.org/10.3126/sw.v18i18.78754