Investigation into the Use of Satellite Data in Aiding Characterization of Particulate Air Quality in the Atlanta, Georgia Metropolitan Area

Alston, E. J.; Sokolik, I. N.; Doddridge, Bruce G.

doi:10.3155/1047-3289.61.2.211

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Considering only spring and summer seasons in our previous study (Alston et al, 2011), we found that PM 2.5 and AOD have different seasonal traits with AOD values almost doubling during the summer compared to values in the spring. Here we examine the seasonal behaviour by calculating 10-yr (if available) averages of each month for both the satellite and PM 2.5 datasets.…”

Section: Seasonal Cyclementioning

confidence: 70%

“…A recent review about the state of the field is presented in Hoff and Christopher (2009). In our earlier work, we also examined the use of satellite AOD products for air quality analysis, which lead to the development of a statistical technique for predicting air quality index values in the Atlanta metropolitan area (Alston et al, 2011). Although the above studies were mainly focused on predicting PM 2.5 from AOD for air quality applications, they did reveal some important similarities and differences in the behaviour of PM 2.5 measured near the ground and AOD retrieved from space-borne instruments.…”

Section: E J Alston Et Al: Characterization Of Aerosols Of Over a mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The difference between the All GA and Atlanta means at most varied around 2 µg m −3 , and there is a larger difference (4 µg m −3 ) between the All GA means and the Outside Atlanta means. Alston et al (2011) highlighted how spring 2007 was anomalous in both AOD and PM 2.5 concentrations compared with other springs due to the large wildfire that burned for almost two months. It is likely that if the wildfire had not occurred, the spring means would decrease with time.…”

Section: Seasonal Cyclementioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization of atmospheric aerosol in the US Southeast from ground- and space-based measurements over the past decade

2012

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Abstract. This study examines how aerosols measured from the ground and space over the US Southeast change temporally over a regional scale during the past decade. PM 2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter > 2.5 micrometers) data consist of two datasets that represent the measurements that are used for regulatory purposes by the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and continuous measurements used for quickly disseminating air quality information. AOD (aerosol optical depth) data come from three NASA sensors: the MODIS sensors onboard Terra and Aqua satellites and the MISR sensor onboard the Terra satellite. We analyze all available data over the state of Georgia from 2000-2009 of both types of aerosol data. The analysis reveals that during the summer the large metropolitan area of Atlanta has average PM 2.5 concentrations that are 50 % more than the remainder of the state. Strong seasonality is detected in both the AOD and PM 2.5 datasets, as evidenced by a threefold increase of AOD from mean winter values to mean summer values, and the increase in PM 2.5 concentrations is almost twofold over the same period. Additionally, there is agreement between MODIS and MISR onboard the Terra satellite during the spring and summer, having correlation coefficients of 0.64 and 0.71, respectively. Monthly anomalies were used to determine the presence of a trend in all considered aerosol datasets. We found negative linear trends for both the monthly AOD anomalies from MODIS onboard Terra and the PM 2.5 datasets, which are statistically significant. Decreasing trends were also found for MISR onboard Terra and MODIS onboard Aqua, but those trends were not statistically significant. The observed decrease in AOD and PM 2.5 concentrations may be indicative of the brightening over the study region during the past decade.

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Section: Seasonal Cyclementioning

confidence: 70%

Section: E J Alston Et Al: Characterization Of Aerosols Of Over a mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Seasonal Cyclementioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization of atmospheric aerosol in the US Southeast from ground- and space-based measurements over the past decade

2012

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“…Satellite data consisting of aerosol optical depth measurements were obtained from National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Other researchers 42,43 have used AOD measurements directly to estimate PM 2.5 , (via a functional relationship between AOD and PM 2.5 ). We elected not to do so because of lack of high predictability and because of missing data due to cloud cover.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

PM2.5 Exposure and Birth Outcomes

et al. 2014

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Background Air pollution may be related to adverse birth outcomes. Exposure information from land-based monitoring stations often suffers from limited spatial coverage. Satellite data offer an alternative data source for exposure assessment. Methods We used birth certificate data for births in Connecticut and Massachusetts, U.S. (2000-2006). Gestational exposure to PM2.5 was estimated from US Environmental Protection Agency monitoring data and from satellite data. Satellite data were processed and modeled using 2 methods – denoted satellite (1) and satellite (2) – before exposure assessment. Regression models related PM2.5 exposure to birth outcomes while controlling for several confounders. Birth outcomes were mean birth weight at term birth, low birth weight at term (LBW <2500g), small for gestational age (SGA, <10th percentile for gestational age and sex), and preterm birth (<37 weeks). Results Overall, the exposure assessment method modified the magnitude of the effect estimates of PM2.5 on birth outcomes. Change in birth weight per inter-quartile range (2.41 μg/m3)-increase in PM2.5 was -6g (95% confidence interval = -8 to -5), -16g (-21 to -11) and -19g (-23 to -15), using the monitor, satellite (1) and satellite (2) methods, respectively. Adjusted odds ratios, based on the same 3 exposure methods, for term LBW were 1.01 (0.98 to 1.04), 1.06 (0.97 to 1.16), and 1.08 (1.01 to 1.16); for SGA, 1.03 (1.01 to 1.04), 1.06 (1.03 to 1.10) and 1.08 (1.04 to 1.11); and for preterm birth, 1.00 (0.99 to 1.02), 0.98 (0.94 to 1.03) and 0.99 (0.95 to 1.03). Conclusions Under exposure assessment methods, we found associations between PM2.5 exposure and adverse birth outcomes particularly for birth weight among term births and for SGA. These results add to the growing concerns that air pollution adversely affects infant health and suggest that analysis of health consequences based on satellite-based exposure assessment can provide additional useful information.

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“…Progress is still being made to exploit space-based measurements for estimating ground-level concentrations (Al-Hamdan et al, 2009;Alston et al, 2011;Catizone et al, 2014;Christopher and Gupta, 2010). For regulatory comparisons these should be seen as complements to, rather than replacements of, the ground-based measurements.…”

Section: Particle Size and Mass Concentrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Air quality measurements—From rubber bands to tapping the rainbow

Hidy¹,

Mueller²,

Altshuler

et al. 2017

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association

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It is axiomatic that good measurements are integral to good public policy for environmental protection. The generalized term for "measurements" includes sampling and quantitation, data integrity, documentation, network design, sponsorship, operations, archiving, and accessing for applications. Each of these components has evolved and advanced over the last 200 years as knowledge of atmospheric chemistry and physics has matured. Air quality was first detected by what people could see and smell in contaminated air. Gaseous pollutants were found to react with certain materials or chemicals, changing the color of dissolved reagents such that their light absorption at selected wavelengths could be related to both the pollutant chemistry and its concentration. Airborne particles have challenged the development of a variety of sensory devices and laboratory assays for characterization of their enormous range of physical and chemical properties. Advanced electronics made possible the sampling, concentration, and detection of gases and particles, both in situ and in laboratory analysis of collected samples. Accurate and precise measurements by these methods have made possible advanced air quality management practices that led to decreasing concentrations over time. New technologies are leading to smaller and cheaper measurement systems that can further expand and enhance current air pollution monitoring networks. Implications: Ambient air quality measurement systems have a large influence on air quality management by determining compliance, tracking trends, elucidating pollutant transport and transformation, and relating concentrations to adverse effects. These systems consist of more than just instrumentation, and involve extensive support efforts for siting, maintenance, calibration, auditing, data validation, data management and access, and data interpretation. These requirements have largely been attained for criteria pollutants regulated by National Ambient Air Quality Standards, but they are rarely attained for nonroutine measurements and research studies.

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Investigation into the Use of Satellite Data in Aiding Characterization of Particulate Air Quality in the Atlanta, Georgia Metropolitan Area

Cited by 6 publications

References 33 publications

Characterization of atmospheric aerosol in the US Southeast from ground- and space-based measurements over the past decade

Characterization of atmospheric aerosol in the US Southeast from ground- and space-based measurements over the past decade

PM2.5 Exposure and Birth Outcomes

Air quality measurements—From rubber bands to tapping the rainbow

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