EFFECT OF IONIZATION AND PARTICULATE POLLUTANTS ON GEC PARAMETERS OVER THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT

The effect of ionization due to cosmic rays and radioactivity over the earth's surface on global electric circuit (GEC) parameters like elec trical conductivity, air-earth current and electric held has been eval uated for the Indian subcontinent. In the first phase, the calculation s were performed for a clean atmosphere, and in the second phase, the calculations were made for measured values of particulate concentratio ns in certain cities of India and also for 50 per cent increases. The results show a markable reduction in conductivity and increase in elec tric field under high particle concentrations.