Spatial and temporal distributions of radiation balance components over Delhi

Abstract

The study area  Delhi was  divided  according to land-use  and  the effect  of urbanization on the spatial and temporal variations.  Incoming  shortwave (K↓),  albedo  (α), incoming  longwave (L↓),  outgoing  longwave (L↑) and  net  radiation (Q*)  were  individually  studied at  five  representative sites  (Industrial, Commercial, Residential, Rural  and Forest), for the winter  and summer  seasons. It was found that  K↓ was higher in the rural areas  with  clearer skies  and  unpolluted atmosphere compared to congested and  polluted urban  areas.  L↓ was  higher  in the  industrial and  commercial areas  compared to  their rural  counterparts.  Concrete  surfaces of urban  areas  showed  lower  L↑ unlike  the  moist rural  surfaces.  Industrial and  commercial areas  showed  lower  α, whereas Q* was  higher compared to other  areas. However,  on an average value  of radiation balance components was  more than  double  during  summer  as compared to winter.