Pattern Analysis of Aerosol Optical Depth and Its Relationship with Meteorological Parameters over Bangladesh During the Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown

This study looks at the relationship between aerosol optical depth (AOD) and meteorological parameters during the COVID-19 lockdown in Bangladesh. Aerosols in the atmosphere are liquid or solid particles suspended in the air. AOD is an essential parameter of atmospheric aerosol and has become a significant uncertainty in global climate simulation. The patterns of AOD, meteorological parameters and relationships among them were analyzed across Bangladesh during the covid-19 lockdown period using MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) remote sensing data. Higher AOD values were reported in western part of Bangladesh and lower AOD values were observed over the hilly area of the eastern part of the country. Highest precipitations were found in the Sylhet division on the other hand lowest precipitations were recorded in the southwestern regions of the Khulna division. An intensive peak land surface temperature was observed in Gazipur of Dhaka division. Wind speed was gradually decreasing from the southern to the northern direction. Lowest AOD and highest precipitation rate were observed in July 2020. Peak values of AOD, land surface temperature, and wind speed occurred in January, May, and June of 2021 respectively. Precipitation and wind speed were both minimum in December 2020, whereas land surface temperature was minimum in January 2021.