Stratospheric Ozone Trends over the Tropics

The study of the variability and seasonality of ozone over the tropics was carried out between the regions spreading from Latitude 300 South to 300 North. The region was divided into twelve zones of 50 latitudes each, that is, Latitude 0-50 South, 0-50 North,5– 100South and 5– 100 North etc. Secondary data from satellite for each zone was studied both individually and collectively for the period of 1997 to 1999. The results of the statistical analysis indicated that there was seasonality in time of occurrence of maximum and minimum ozone concentration in the tropics. In the northern zones where Nigeria fell, the period of maximum concentration appeared to conincide with the raining season while the minimum with the dry season. The variability of ozone was found to be higher in the high tropical latitudes than around the equator