Publications

Christopher, S; Gupta, P (2020). Global Distribution of Column Satellite Aerosol Optical Depth to Surface PM(2.5)Relationships. REMOTE SENSING, 12(12), 1985.

Abstract
Using a combined Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) mid-visible aerosol optical depth (AOD) product at 0.1 x 0.1-degree spatial resolution and collocated surface PM2.5(particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 mu m) monitors, we provide a global five-year (2015-2019) assessment of the spatial and seasonal AOD-PM(2.5)relationships of slope, intercepts, and correlation coefficients. Only data from ground monitors accessible through an open air-quality portal that are available to the worldwide community for air quality research and decision making are used in this study. These statistics that are reported 1 x 1-degree resolution are important since satellite AOD is often used in conjunction with spatially limited surface PM(2.5)monitors to estimate global distributions of surface particulate matter concentrations. Results indicate that more than 3000 ground monitors are now available for PM(2.5)studies. While there is a large spread in correlation coefficients between AOD and PM(2.5,)globally, averaged over all seasons, the correlation coefficient is 0.55 with a unit AOD producing 54 mu gm(-3)of PM2.5(Slope) with an intercept of 8 mu gm(-3). While the number of surface PM(2.5)measurements has increased by a factor of 10 over the last decade, a concerted effort is still needed to continue to increase these monitors in areas that have no surface monitors, especially in large population centers that will further leverage the strengths of satellite data.

DOI:
10.3390/rs12121985

ISSN: