Title: Climatology in Mauritius 1983-2005: potential solar radiation modulation by Quasi-Biennial oscillation and El Niño-Southern oscillation

Authors: M. Bessafi; M.R. Lollchund; J.P. Chabriat; J.D. LanSunLuk; P. Jeanty

Addresses: Laboratoire d'Energétique, d'Electronique et Procédés, University of La Réunion, Cedex 9, France ' Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Réduit 80837, Republic of Mauritius ' Laboratoire d'Energétique, d'Electronique et Procédés, University of La Réunion, Cedex 9, France ' Laboratoire d'Energétique, d'Electronique et Procédés, University of La Réunion, Cedex 9, France ' Laboratoire d'Energétique, d'Electronique et Procédés, University of La Réunion, Cedex 9, France

Abstract: The monthly variability of solar radiation over Mauritius is examined using monthly data from CMSAF (Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring) satellite during the period January 1983-December 2005. It is found that the series analysed have periodicities which can be related to two well-known oscillations (Quasi-Biennal Oscillation - QBO and El Niño Southern Oscillation - ENSO). The results highlight a significant modulation of solar radiation by QBO that indicate the possible modulation of convective activity and cloud cover by this oscillation. A temporal conjunction between El-Nino events and high solar radiation disturbances is shown. Nevertheless, it was difficult to assess a simple correlation between ENSO and solar radiation variability over the studied period. This paper focuses on interannual oscillation and omits the intra-seasonal tropical perturbations (Madden Julian Oscillation, Indian Ocean Dipole, Southern Antarctic Mode). This demonstrates a first approach on the interannual solar radiation variability over Mauritius.

Keywords: solar radiation; QBO; Quasi-Biennal oscillation; ENSO; El Niño-Southern oscillation; interannual; climate change.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2017.086160

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2017 Vol.11 No.1, pp.97 - 103

Accepted: 30 May 2017
Published online: 27 Aug 2017 *

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