title: Spatial scales of pollution from variable resolution satellite imaging.
abstract: The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) provides daily global coverage, but the 10 km resolution of its aerosol optical depth (AOD) product is not adequate for studying spatial variability of aerosols in urban areas. Recently, a new Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm was developed for MODIS which provides AOD at 1 km resolution. Using MAIAC data, the relationship between MAIAC AOD and PM(2.5) as measured by the EPA ground monitoring stations was investigated at varying spatial scales. Our analysis suggested that the correlation between PM(2.5) and AOD decreased significantly as AOD resolution was degraded. This is so despite the intrinsic mismatch between PM(2.5) ground level measurements and AOD vertically integrated measurements. Furthermore, the fine resolution results indicated spatial variability in particle concentration at a sub-10 km scale. Finally, this spatial variability of AOD within the urban domain was shown to depend on PM(2.5) levels and wind speed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Landmark Center Room 420, Boston, MA 02115, USA. achudnov@hsph.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Alexandra A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Chudnovsky
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kostinski
authors.forename: Alexei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lyapustin
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koutrakis
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis*; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis; D058998:Remote Sensing Technology; D018531:Spacecraft
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter