Surface measurements of atmospheric electrical conductivity at Jnanabharathi campus, Bengaluru (12.96° N, 77.56° E)

57-63Simultaneous measurements of the atmospheric electrical conductivity and meteorological parameters were carried out during January-December 2014 at Jnanabharathi campus, Bangalore University (urban station), Bengaluru, (12.96° N, 77.56°E), Karnataka for the first time. Gerdien condenser and mini boundary layer mast (micro meteorological tower) were used to study the variation of electrical conductivity and meteorological parameters. The observations show that the change in daily and weekly variations of conductivity is strong dependent of activity of Radon (222Rn) gas and meteorological parameters that defines the stability of the lower troposphere. Significant influence of atmospheric convective instability on conductivity was observed. The negative correlation of 0.56 was found between conductivity and rain for the year 2014. The average conductivity for the study period was found to be 4.02 ± 0.02 x 10-14 S/m, with higher values during the winter as compared to summer and monsoon seasons. The atmospheric air conductivity measurements may be used to study the atmospheric stability, pollution and climate change studies