Satellites: Tracking Pollutants With Advanced Spectral And Imaging Technology

Satellites can be used to track pollutants and monitor air quality. They can infer surface concentrations of air pollutants, such as PM2.5, SO2, and NO2, using atmospheric models. For example, PM2.5 can be inferred from a quantity observed from space called aerosol optical depth (AOD), which measures the extinction of sunlight by small airborne particles (aerosols). Upcoming launches of pollution-observing satellites will further advance our ability to track progress on air pollution and climate change. These satellites will have sensors specifically designed to pick up the fingerprint of the methane molecule, providing data that can be used to inform regulatory decisions.

Tracking climate-warming pollution

Satellites can track the surface concentrations of certain pollutants, such as PM2.5, SO2, and NO2, using atmospheric models. For example, PM2.5 can be inferred from a quantity observed from space called aerosol optical depth (AOD), which measures the extinction of sunlight by small airborne particles. However, there are often large uncertainties associated with these estimates. Despite this, the estimates are proving useful for air quality managers and health researchers.

Satellites can also track aerosol plumes from wildfires and help ascertain the source of other pollutants hazardous to human health. This has the potential to be life-changing for groups affected by problems such as heart disease or asthma.

Additionally, satellites have been developed with sensors specifically designed to pick up the fingerprint of the methane molecule. These sensors send data back to Earth, which it is hoped will be used by regulators to inform policy and decision-making.

Tracking air pollution

Upcoming launches of pollution-observing satellites are expected to significantly enhance our ability to track air pollution, particularly in individual countries and megacities. These satellites will be equipped with advanced sensors, such as TEMPO and MAIA, which will provide high-resolution data on a global scale. This data will be invaluable for scientists, policymakers, and health professionals working to mitigate the impacts of air pollution.

One of the key advantages of using satellites to track pollutants is the ability to monitor large areas in almost real-time. This capability is especially important for tracking aerosol plumes from wildfires, which can have significant impacts on air quality and human health. By using satellite data, we can more easily identify the sources of hazardous pollutants and predict their movement, helping to protect vulnerable groups, such as those with heart disease or asthma.

Satellite data is also used to infer surface concentrations of certain pollutants, such as PM2.5, SO2, and NO2. These inferences are made using atmospheric models and measurements of aerosol optical depth (AOD), which quantifies the extinction of sunlight by small airborne particles. While there are uncertainties associated with these estimates, they provide valuable information for air quality management and health research.

Additionally, satellites can be equipped with sensors specifically designed to detect particular molecules, such as methane. By sending data back to Earth, these sensors can help regulators and scientists better understand and address climate-warming pollution. Overall, the use of satellites to track air pollution is a powerful tool that will continue to advance our understanding and management of planetary-scale environmental changes.

Tracking the source of pollutants

Satellites can infer surface concentrations of certain pollutants, such as PM2.5, SO2, and NO2, using atmospheric models. For example, PM2.5 may be inferred from a quantity observed from space called aerosol optical depth (AOD), which is a measure of the extinction of sunlight by small airborne particles (aerosols). However, there are often large uncertainties associated with these estimates. Nevertheless, these estimates are proving useful for air quality managers and health researchers.

Satellites can also track the fingerprint of the methane molecule. The sensors orbiting in space will send data back to Earth, which it is hoped will be used by regulators.

With these satellite sensors, along with other advances in existing and new technologies (e.g., chemical transport modelling, low-cost sensors, and mobile monitoring), we are entering a new age of global, highly spatially resolved, and long-term data availability that provides an unprecedented ability to understand and track planetary-scale environmental changes.

Tracking aerosol plumes from wildfires

Satellites can infer surface concentrations of certain pollutants, such as PM2.5, SO2, and NO2, using atmospheric models. For example, PM2.5 can be inferred from a quantity observed from space called aerosol optical depth (AOD), which measures the extinction of sunlight by small airborne particles (aerosols). However, there are often large uncertainties associated with these estimates.

Other satellite sensors are designed to pick up the fingerprint of specific molecules, such as methane. These sensors send data back to Earth, which can then be used by regulators to inform policy and decision-making.

With the upcoming launches of pollution-observing satellites, we will further advance our ability to track progress on air pollution and climate change, particularly in individual countries and megacities globally. This new age of highly spatially resolved and long-term data availability will provide an unprecedented ability to understand and track planetary-scale environmental changes.

Tracking surface concentrations of pollutants

While it is not currently possible to infer surface concentrations of O3 from satellite data, upcoming launches of pollution-observing satellites will further advance our ability to track progress on air pollution and climate change. These satellites will be equipped with sensors specifically designed to detect the fingerprint of the methane molecule, providing data that can be used by regulators to address climate change.

In addition to satellite sensors, other technologies such as chemical transport modelling, low-cost sensors, and mobile monitoring will contribute to a new age of global, highly spatially resolved, and long-term data availability. This will provide an unprecedented ability to understand and track planetary-scale environmental changes and improve air quality monitoring and forecasts.

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