Satellite remote sensing of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air quality over Beijing using MODIS

Fine particulate matter (aerodynamic diameters of less than 2.5 µm, PM_2.5) air pollution has become one of the major environmental challenges, causing severe environmental issues in urban visibility, climate, and public health. In this study, ground-level PM_2.5 concentrations, air-quality categories (AQCs), and health risk categories (HRCs) over Beijing, China, have been estimated based on mid-visible column aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements extracted from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data on board both Terra and Aqua satellites. Our results indicate that the MODIS AOD retrievals at 550 nm (AOD₅₅₀) match hourly aerosol robotic network (AERONET) measurements with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.950 for Terra and 0.895 for Aqua. The relationship between ground-level PM_2.5 and MODIS AOD₅₅₀ from March 2012 to February 2013 showed correlation coefficients of 0.69, 0.60, and 0.73 for spring, summer, and autumn, respectively. The atmospheric boundary layer height and relative humidity (RH) adjustments improved the AOD–PM_2.5 relationship in summer months. The estimates of daily average PM_2.5 from satellite measurements were used to predict both AQCs and HRCs, which are well matched with observations. Satellite remote sensing of atmospheric aerosols continues to show great potential for estimating ground-level PM_2.5 concentrations and can be further used to monitor the atmospheric environment in China.     

A satellite-based model for estimating PM2.5 concentration in a sparsely populated environment using soft computing techniques

We applied three soft computing methods including adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), support vector machine (SVM) and back-propagation artificial neural network (BPANN) algorithms for estimating the ground-level PM_2.5 concentration. These models were trained by comprehensive satellite-based, meteorological, and geographical data. A 10-fold cross-validation (CV) technique was used to identify the optimal predictive model. Results showed that ANFIS was the best-performing model for predicting the variations in PM_2.5 concentration. Our findings demonstrated that the CV-R² of the ANFIS (0.81) is greater than that of the SVM (0.67) and BPANN (0.54) model. The results suggested that soft computing methods like ANFIS, in combination with spatiotemporal data from satellites, meteorological data and geographical information improve the estimate of PM_2.5 concentration in sparsely populated areas.     

Remote sensing of ambient particles in Delhi and its environs: estimation and validation

Recent advances in atmospheric remote sensing offer a unique opportunity to compute indirect estimates of air quality, particularly for developing countries that lack adequate spatial–temporal coverage of air pollution monitoring. The present research establishes an empirical relationship between satellite‐based aerosol optical depth (AOD) and ambient particulate matter (PM) in Delhi and its environs. The PM data come from two different sources. Firstly, a field campaign was conducted to monitor airborne particles?2.5 µm and?10 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ respectively) at 113 spatially dispersed sites from July to December 2003 using photometric samplers. Secondly, data on eight hourly PM₁₀ and total suspended particulate (TSP) matter, collected using gravimetric samplers, from 2000 to 2005 were acquired from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The aerosol optical depths were estimated from MODIS data, acquired from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Earth Sciences Distributed Active Archive Center from 2000 to 2005. Both the PM and AOD data were collocated by time and space: PM mass±150 min of AOD time, and ±2.5 and 5 km radius (separately) of the centroid of the AOD pixel for the 5 and 10 km AOD, respectively. The analysis here shows that PM correlates positively with the 5 km AOD; a 1% change in the AOD explains 0.52%±0.20% and 0.39%±0.15% changes in PM_2.5 within 45 and 150 min intervals (of AOD data) respectively. At a coarser spatial resolution, however, the relationship between AOD and PM is relatively weak. But, the relationship turns significantly stronger when monthly estimates are analysed over a span of six years (2000 to 2005), especially for the winter months, which have relatively stable meteorological conditions.     

PM10 remote sensing from geostationary SEVIRI and polar-orbiting MODIS sensors over the complex terrain of the European Alpine region

The subject of this study is to investigate the capability of spaceborne remote sensing data to predict ground concentrations of PM₁₀ over the European Alpine region using satellite derived Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from the geostationary Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) and the polar-orbiting MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The spatial and temporal resolutions of these aerosol products (10 km and 2 measurements per day for MODIS, ∼ 25 km and observation intervals of 15 min for SEVIRI) permit an evaluation of PM estimation from space at different spatial and temporal scales. Different empirical linear relationships between coincident AOD and PM₁₀ observations are evaluated at 13 ground-based PM measurement sites, with the assumption that aerosols are vertically homogeneously distributed below the planetary Boundary Layer Height (BLH). The BLH and Relative Humidity (RH) variability are assessed, as well as their impact on the parameterization. The BLH has a strong influence on the correlation of daily and hourly time series, whilst RH effects are less clear and smaller in magnitude. Despite its lower spatial resolution and AOD accuracy, SEVIRI shows higher correlations than MODIS (r_SEV∼ 0.7, r_MOD∼ 0.6) with regard to daily averaged PM₁₀. Advantages from MODIS arise only at hourly time scales in mountainous locations but lower correlations were found for both sensors at this time scale (r∼ 0.45). Moreover, the fraction of days in 2008 with at least one satellite observation was 27% for SEVIRI and 17% for MODIS. These results suggest that the frequency of observations plays an important role in PM monitoring, while higher spatial resolution does not generally improve the PM estimation. Ground-based Sun Photometer (SP) measurements are used to validate the satellite-based AOD in the study region and to discuss the impact of aerosols' micro-physical properties in the empirical models. A lower error limit of 30 to 60% in the PM₁₀ assessment from space is estimated in the study area as a result of AOD uncertainties, variability of aerosols properties and the heterogeneity of ground measurement sites. It is concluded that SEVIRI has a similar capacity to map PM as sensors on board polar-orbiting platforms, with the advantage of a higher number of observations. However, the accuracy represents a serious limitation to the applicability of satellites for ground PM mapping, especially in mountainous areas.     

Estimating and source analysis of surface PM2.5 concentration in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region based on MODIS data and air trajectories

Particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 μm (PM_2.5) has become the primary air pollutant in most major cities in China. Some studies have indicated that there is a positive correlation between the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and surface-level PM_2.5 concentration. In order to estimate PM_2.5 concentration over large areas, a model relating the concentration of PM_2.5 and AOT has been established. The scale height of aerosol and relative humidity as well as the effect of surface temperature and wind velocity were introduced to enhance the model. 2013 full year Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) AOT data and ground measurements of the PM_2.5 concentration in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region were used to fit a seasonal multivariate linear equation relating PM_2.5 concentration and AOT, and the accuracy of the model has been determined. When comparing MODIS-estimated PM_2.5 with the measurements from ground monitoring stations during spring, summer, autumn and winter, we found the R² values were 0.45, 0.45, 0.37, and 0.31, respectively. Based on this model, the spatial distribution of PM_2.5 concentration during four typical haze events sampled by seasons was derived, and displayed with the backward air trajectories calculated using the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model. We undertook a preliminary analysis about the source of surface-level PMs and the process of its accumulation and dispersion during the haze episodes by analysing the effect of terrain and topography in the specific location of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region. The spatial distribution of the PM_2.5 concentration showed that the high value region was generally in the southeast of the study area, which approximately overlapped an area of lower vegetation coverage, and the temporal variation of PM_2.5 concentration indicated that the air pollution was more severe during winter and spring than summer and autumn. The results of the analysis of backward air trajectories suggested that the hazy weather in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region was mainly caused by unfavourable terrain and weather conditions.     

Physical and chemical properties of surface and column aerosols at a rural New England site during MODIS overpass

Surface-based measurements of aerosol optical depth at a rural site in southern New Hampshire (43.11°N, 70.95°W) are compared to retrievals of the same parameter by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) during April-August, 2001. Hourly averages of aerosol optical depth (AOD) were derived using a multi-filter rotating shadowband radiometer (MFRSR) at the time of NASA's Terra satellite overpass. The MODIS Level 2 aerosol product at a wavelength of 550 nm was directly compared to the MFRSR interpolated AOD at 550 nm. We were able to compare the two AOD measurement platforms on 46 days (out of a possible 128 days) and observed a good agreement between the two methods (R=0.81; slope=0.95±0.10). However, there were 11 days during this study period when MODIS measured AOD at the site, but the MFRSR did not due to excessive cloud cover. There were also 7 days when clear skies prevailed at the site during the time of MODIS overpass, but there was no AOD retrieved by MODIS. Surface measurements of fine particle (PM_2.5) mass, chemical composition, and optical properties were also performed during summer 2001. A good correlation (R=0.87) between fine particle mass and AOD measured by the MFRSR was observed. A comparison between fine particle light extinction at the surface and MFRSR AOD (at the same wavelength) also showed good agreement (R=0.80). Aerosol chemical analysis revealed that ammonium sulfate was the main aerosol component during times of very high turbidity, while organic carbon dominated during times of below-average turbidity.     

基于GOCI卫星的大气细颗粒物PM2.5的遥感反演及其时空分布规律研究

随着我国经济的快速发展和城市化进程的加快,大气细颗粒物PM_2.5已经成为影响我国大气环境污染的主要因素之一。利用静止卫星数据可以获取大范围的面状PM_2.5信息,为我国大气环境的监测、治理、预测等提供了不可替代的数据源。以江苏省为研究区,利用静止卫星GOCI数据,在反演逐时气溶胶光学厚度（AOD）的基础上,结合气象因子,利用多元统计分析进行了研究区PM_2.5的遥感反演研究。结果表明：基于AOD的多元统计模型,在估计的PM_2.5浓度和观测值之间表现出良好的一致性,拟合度R ²为0.665 2。在对AOD进行湿度订正后得到的dry AOD进行多元统计建模,预测的PM_2.5浓度与观测值之间的拟合度R ²达到了0.702 6,证明了经过湿度订正后的“干”AOD与PM_2.5之间建立的关系更加可靠。使用GOCI反演的AOD计算PM_2.5浓度,在空间分辨率和时间分辨率上充分体现了GOCI作为静止卫星监测PM_2.5的优势。在空间分分辨率上,基于GOCI卫星获取AOD的空间分辨率为500 m,优于MODIS 10 km的AOD产品;时间分辨率上,基于GOCI获取AOD实现每日自9:00~16:00逐小时监测,优于MODIS每日两次的AOD产品。     

Remote Sensing Retrieval of Atmospheric Fine Particle PM2.5 based on GOCI Satellite and Its Temporal and Spatial Distribution

With the rapid development of China's economy and the acceleration of urbanization, PM_2.5 has become one of the major factors affecting atmospheric environmental pollution in China. The use of geostationary satellite data can obtain a wide range of regional PM_2.5information, providing irreplaceable data sources for China's atmospheric environment monitoring, control, and forecasting. This paper uses the geostationary satellite GOCI data, based on Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) retrieveal, combined with meteorological factors, and uses multivariate statistical analysis to study the remote sensing retrieval of PM_2.5 in the study area. The results show that the multivariate statistical model based on AOD shows a good agreement between the estimated PM_2.5 concentration and the observed values, and the fitting degreeR ² is 0.665 2. After multivariate statistical modeling of dry AOD obtained after moisture correction of AOD, the fitting degree R² between the predicted concentration of PM_2.5 and the observed value reached 0.702 6, which proved the relationship established betweenthe “dry” AOD after the humidity correction and PM_2.5 is more reliable.The use of GOCI-retrieved AOD to calculate PM_2.5 concentration fully reflects the advantages of GOCI as a geostationary satellite in spatial resolution and temporal resolution. In terms of spatial resolution, the spatial resolution of AOD based on GOCI satellite reachs to 500 meters, which is better than MODIS 10 km AOD product.In terms of temporal resolution,hourly AOD monitoring from 9:00 to 16:00 based on GOCI can be obtained,which is better than MODIS twice daily AOD products.     

PM2.5 concentration prediction using hidden semi-Markov model-based times series data mining

In this paper, a novel framework and methodology based on hidden semi-Markov models (HSMMs) for high PM_2.5 concentration value prediction is presented. Due to lack of explicit time structure and its short-term memory of past history, a standard hidden Markov model (HMM) has limited power in modeling the temporal structures of the prediction problems. To overcome the limitations of HMMs in prediction, we develop the HSMMs by adding the temporal structures into the HMMs and use them to predict the concentration levels of PM_2.5. As a model-driven statistical learning method, HSMM assumes that both data and a mathematical model are available. In contrast to other data-driven statistical prediction models such as neural networks, a mathematical functional mapping between the parameters and the selected input variables can be established in HSMMs. In the proposed framework, states of HSMMs are used to represent the PM_2.5 concentration levels. The model parameters are estimated through modified forward–backward training algorithm. The re-estimation formulae for model parameters are derived. The trained HSMMs can be used to predict high PM_2.5 concentration levels. The validation of the proposed framework and methodology is carried out in real world applications: prediction of high PM_2.5 concentrations at O’Hare airport in Chicago. The results show that the HSMMs provide accurate predictions of high PM_2.5 concentration levels for the next 24 h.     

A key study on spatial source distribution of PM2.5 based on the airflow trajectory model

Most methods and technologies on particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 µm (PM_2.5) source apportionment are carried out from the microscopic view with a focus on its chemistry composition. This research is an attempt to analyse the influence of airflow motion on the emission, transport, diffusion, and dissipation of PM_2.5 particles, and explore spatial source distribution at the macro view in the Pearl River Delta (PRD). Spatial source distribution can be achieved through combining the temporal and spatial distribution of satellite-based PM concentration with the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model. This research first retrieves high-resolution ground-level PM_2.5 concentrations based on the latest Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aerosol product (MOD04/MYD04, 3 km, C006), using an improved semi-empirical model. Then an approach based on the HYSPLIT model is proposed to identify spatial source distribution and it is applied to a typical incident as an example. Further analysis is applied to all typical incidents that occurred in 2013 in the PRD. Verification results of satellite-based PM_2.5 show this method has an improved precision (r = 0.76, N = 701, RMSE = 18.49 µg m^–3) over a model, which only conducts humidity correction and vertical correction (r = 0.67, N = 701, RMSE = 20.24 µg m^–3). An analysis of the incident that occurred between 5 March 2013 and 10 March 2013 shows that the high PM_2.5 concentrations in this incident came from local sources. Local circulation extended the polluted range and clear air blowing from the southern sea was the key external reason for a reduction from the high concentration. Further statistical results of all of the typical events occurring in 2013 demonstrate that the main cause of high concentrations of PM_2.5 particles is primarily from local sources and regional transport. There was no obvious extra-regional source. This is different from other heavily haze-polluted areas (Jing-Jin-Tang district (JJT), Yangtze River Delta (YRD)) in China. The result of our study could play an important role in the future work about regional joint governance.     

Monitoring 2.5 μm particulate matter within urbanized regions using satellite-derived aerosol optical thickness,a study in Hong Kong

This study investigates the relationship between aerosol optical thickness (AOT) derived from MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite and in situ particulate matter (PM_2.5) from Hong Kong air-quality monitoring stations. The relationship was analysed for three different AOT products, namely, MODIS collection 5 AOT data, MODIS collection 5 fine-mode fraction AOT data, both at 10 km resolution, and MODIS AOT data at 500 m resolution. In view of the predicted low accuracies obtainable for MODIS AOT products for the south China region, these AOT products were first validated against AOT measurements from an AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) station near the centre of Hong Kong. Strong relationships of R ²?=?0.78 and R ²?=?0.77 for the 10 km and 500 m AOT data, respectively, were obtained, thus providing a robust AOT image database at both coarse and fine spatial resolution for comparison with PM_2.5 concentrations. When a whole year (2007) of AOT images was compared with PM_2.5 concentrations recorded at five ground stations, correlations of R ²?=?0.31, R ²?=?0.10 and R ²?=?0.67 were obtained for collection 5, fine-mode fraction of collection 5 (both at 10 km resolution) and 500 m AOT, respectively. Strong correlations between MODIS 500 m AOT and PM_2.5 concentration were also observed for individual stations (R ²?=?0.66, 0.74, 0.76, 0.56 and 0.62, for Central, Tung Chung, Tseun Wan, Yuen Long and Tap Mun stations, respectively). The study suggests that fine particle distributions at a high level of detail over whole cities may be obtained from satellite images. Since the model has potential for further refinement, monitoring of detailed PM_2.5 concentrations on a routine basis from satellite images will provide a highly useful tool for urban environmental authorities.     

Variation in aerosol properties over Hyderabad,India during intense cyclonic conditions

In this study, we examine the changes in aerosol properties associated with an intense tropical cyclone, the so‐called ‘Mala’, that occurred during April 2006, over the Bay of Bengal. This cyclone, accompanied by very strong surface winds reaching 240 km h^?1, caused extensive disasters in houses and beach resorts in the coastal areas of Myanmar. Ground‐based measurements of aerosol optical depth (AOD), particle‐size distribution and erythemal UV radiation in the neighbouring urban environment of Hyderabad, India, showed significant variations due to changes in wind velocity and direction associated with the cyclone event. The results show an increase in ground‐measured PM_1.0, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀ concentrations, probably associated with the strong surface winds on 28 April, the day on which the cyclone affected the study region. In contrast, the AOD on that day exhibited a significant decrease, since the winds probably acted as a ventilation mechanism for the atmosphere. The Terra‐MODIS satellite images showed a prevalence of dust particles over the study region on the next day of the cyclone. Results from ground‐based AOD sun‐photometer observations matched well with satellite AOD retrievals. Aerosol index obtained from Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) during the cyclone events suggested increasing trend, indicating the presence of an elevated dust‐aerosol layer during and after the cyclone. Results on the effects of wind and air mass fields in affecting the AOD during cyclone events are also presented.     

基于注意力机制和高斯概率估计的PM2.5浓度预测

作为衡量空气污染物浓度的重要指标, 对PM_2.5浓度进行监控预测, 能够有效地保护大气环境, 进一步地减少空气污染带来的危害. 随着空气质量自动监测站的大范围建立, 由传统的机器学习搭建的空气质量预测模型已经不能满足当今的需求. 本文提出了一种基于多头注意力机制和高斯概率估计的高斯-注意力预测模型, 并对沈阳市某监测站点的数据进行了训练和测试. 该模型考虑了PM_2.5浓度受到其他空气质量数据的影响, 将空气质量数据的分层时间戳(周、日、小时)的信息对齐作为输入, 使用多头注意力机制对于不同子空间的时间序列关联特征进行提取, 能够获得更加完善有效的特征信息, 再经过高斯似然估计得到预测结果. 通过与多种基准模型进行对比, 相较于性能较优的DeepAR, 高斯-注意力预测模型的MSE、MAE分别下降了21%、15%, 有效地提高了预测准确率, 能够较准确地预测出PM_2.5浓度.     

基于KNN-LSTM的PM2.5浓度预测模型

目前多数PM_2.5浓度预测模型仅利用单个站点的时间序列数据进行浓度预测, 并没有考虑到空气质量监测站之间的区域关联性, 这会导致预测存在一定的片面性. 本文利用KNN算法选择目标站点所在区域中与其相关的空间因素, 并结合LSTM模型, 提出基于时空特征的KNN-LSTM的PM_2.5浓度预测模型. 以哈尔滨市10个空气质量监测站的污染物数据进行仿真实验, 并将KNN-LSTM模型与其他预测模型进行对比, 结果显示: 模型相较于BP神经网络模型平均绝对误差(MAE)、均方根误差(RMSE)分别降低了19.25%、13.23%; 相较于LSTM模型MAE、RMSE分别降低了4.29%、6.99%. 表明本文所提KNN-LSTM模型能有效提高LSTM模型的预测精度.     

Multi year satellite remote sensing of particulate matter air quality over Sydney,Australia

Particulate matter (PM) air‐quality information is usually derived from ground‐based instruments. These measurements, while valuable, are not well suited to provide air‐quality information over large spatial scales. In this study, using 4 years of satellite aerosol optical thickness (AOT) at 0.55 µm derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites, we present a multi‐year air analysis of PM air quality over Sydney, Australia. We then compare the satellite data with PM_2.5 mass concentration measurements from six ground‐based stations in the area. Our results indicate significant diurnal variations and an overall increase in PM_2.5 during Southern Hemisphere spring and summer seasons due to bush fires. The air quality in Sydney, Australia is good throughout the year except during major bushfires when PM_2.5 mass loading can increase from normal (<20 µg m^?3) to unhealthy conditions (>70 µg m^?3). The satellite data also show corresponding AOT changes from less than 0.1 to greater than 1.0 during bushfire events. We conclude that satellite data are an excellent tool for studying PM air quality over large areas, especially when ground measurements are not available. While this is the first multi‐year combined satellite and ground‐based air quality analysis over Sydney, ancillary information from lidars, sun photometers, and size‐resolved chemistry measurements will further enhance our capability to monitor and forecast air quality in and around Sydney.     

基于GA-GRU环境空气污染物预测研究

针对现有的环境空气污染物预测方法存在缺少输入特征相关性分析和时序信息丢失问题,提出一种将遗传算法和门控循环单元神经网络相结合的环境空气污染物PM2.5小时浓度预测模型,充分挖掘了污染物时间序列内在依赖关系,并解决了不相关因子的干扰和输入特征维度灾难的问题。最后基于绵阳市4个空气污染物监测站点的数据集进行仿真实验,与门控循环单元神经网络、深度信念网络预测比较。结果表明,基于GA-GRU的PM2.5小时浓度预测模型在训练时间、预测精度和鲁棒性上优势显著,是一种可行且有效的预测方法。     

基于MODIS影像的PM10反演——以北京市为例

提出了一种从MODIS影像上反演可吸入颗粒物浓度(PM10)的方法。该方法的基础为从MODIS影像上反演得到的3个可见光波段气溶胶光学厚度(AOD)计算的ngstrm-α。ngstrm-α与颗粒物粒径有关,根据ngstrm-α能够得到颗粒物有效半径,进而估算颗粒物浓度。反演的气溶胶光学厚度由AERONET北京站与香河站验证。PM10反演结果由北京市环保局发布的AQI反插得到的PM10(AQI)进行验证。结果表明:从MODIS影像上反演的3个可见光波段AOD与AERONET基站AOD具有良好的相关性,相关系数为0.923,均方根误差为0.149。该方法反演的PM10与PM10(AQI)相关系数为0.794,均方根误差为48.34(μg/m3)。     

Intercomparison of CALIOP,MODIS, and AERONET aerosol optical depth over China during the past decade

ABSTRACT

Aerosol optical depth (AOD) data from Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) were intercompared and validated against ground-based measurements from Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) as well as space-based Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) over China during June 2006 to December 2015. This article aims to evaluate CALIOP daytime AOD using MODIS and AERONET AODs. Comparing the AOD between CALIOP and AERONET in different regions over China using quality control flags to screen the AOD data, we find that CALIOP AOD is generally lower than AERONET AOD especially at optical depths over 0.4 likely due to differences in the cloud screening algorithms and general retrieval uncertainty. Comparison between CALIOP AOD and MODIS AOD results show that the overall spatio-temporal distribution of CALIOP AOD and MODIS AOD is basically consistent. As for the spatial distribution, both data sets show several high-value regions and low-value regions in China. CALIOP is systematically lower than MODIS over China, especially over high AOD value regions for all seasons. As for the temporal variation, both data sets show a significant seasonal variation: AOD is largest in spring, then less in summer, and smallest in winter and autumn. A long-term linear trend analysis based on the domain averaged monthly mean CALIOP and MODIS AOD shows agreement among CALIOP and MODIS for the trends over the 10-year period in four regions examined. The trends in AOD derived from CALIOP and MODIS indicate a decline in aerosol loading in China since 2006. It is found from frequency comparison that CALIOP and MODIS AOD generally exhibit a degree of correlation over China. Statistical frequency analysis shows that CALIOP AOD frequency distribution shows a higher peak than MODIS AOD when AOD < 0.4. For the most part, mean MODIS AOD is higher than mean CALIOP AOD. Evaluation of CALIOP AOD retrievals provides the prospect for application of CALIOP data. The intercomparison suggests that CALIOP has systematically underestimated daytime AOD retrievals, especially deteriorating with increasing AOD, and therefore, CALIOP daytime AOD retrievals should be treated with some degree of caution when the AOD is over 0.4.     

Estimation of particulate matter from satellite- and ground-based observations over Hyderabad,India

Long-term trends in surface-level particulate matter of dynamic diameter ≤2 µm (PM₂) in regard to air quality observations over Greater Hyderabad Region (GHR), India are estimated by the synergy of ground-based measurements and satellite observations during the period 2001–2013 (satellite) and July 2009–Dec 2013 (ground-based). Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-derived aerosol optical thickness (AOT) (MODIS-AOTs) was validated against that measured from Microtops-II Sunphotometer (MTS) AOTs (MTS-AOTs) and then utilized to estimate surface-level PM₂ concentrations over GHR using regression analysis between MODIS-AOTs, MTS-AOTs, and measured PM₂. In general, the MODIS-estimated PM₂ concentrations fell within the uncertainty of the measurements, thus allowing the estimate of PM₂ from MODIS, although in some cases they differed significantly due to vertical heterogeneity in aerosol distribution and the presence of distinct elevated aerosol layers of different origin and characteristics. Furthermore, significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the AOT and PM₂ estimates is observed in urban environments, especially during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons, which reduces the accuracy of the PM₂ estimates from MODIS. The estimates of PM₂ using MTS or MODIS-AOT exhibit a root mean square deference (RMSD) of about 8–16% against measured PM₂ on a seasonal basis. Furthermore, a tendency of increasing PM₂ concentrations is observed, which however is difficult to quantify for urban areas due to uncertainties in PM₂ estimations and gaps in the data set. Examination of surface and columnar aerosol concentrations, along with meteorological parameters from radiosonde observations on certain days, reveals that changes in local emissions and boundary-layer dynamics, and the presence or arrival of distinct aerosol plumes aloft, are major concerns in the accurate estimation of PM₂ from MODIS, while the large spatial distribution of aerosol and pollutants in the urban environment makes such estimates a considerable challenge.