Analyzing Late Harmattan Dust Effects on Subsequent Early Rainfall Around West Africa’s Cocoa Belt Using Sentinel-5P TROPOMI Satellite Data
K. Niki (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
Nick van de van de Giesen – Mentor (TU Delft - Water Systems Monitoring & Modelling)
Herman Russchenberg – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Atmospheric Remote Sensing)
j. Pepijn Veefkind – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Atmospheric Remote Sensing)
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Abstract
This study analyzed the relationship between late Harmattan dust in February-March and subsequent early rainfall in April-May in West Africa, focusing around the high cocoa-producing regions. The impact of Harmattan was evaluated using high-resolution Sentinel-5P TROPOMI data. Strong positive correlations were found in the southwestern regions of Côte d'Ivoire and southern Liberia where cocoa production is prominent. This is consistent with anecdotal evidence obtained from a local farmer in Gagnoa, which falls under the positively correlated area found in this study. The findings suggest that late Harmattan dust may serve as a potential indicator of early rainfall. This could help better agricultural planning for local farming communities, given the significant influence of rainfall amount on cocoa growth.