Mapping Dispersion of Urban Air Pollution with Remote Sensing

Dispersion of air pollution depends upon various factors including weather conditions, topography and local situation, causing large variation, even in small areas. In addition to mathematical dispersion models and interpolation methods, remote sensing can improve mapping of the spatial distribution of urban air pollution, although no dedicated sensors exist. We used aerosol optical thickness, indicating how much radiance is disturbed on its way through the atmosphere, and at-satellite temperature, calculated from the visible, near infrared and thermal infrared bands of Landsat 7-ETM+. Dispersion of urban air pollution was mapped via a relation between ground station data and aerosol optical thickness and at-satellite temperature. Aerosol optical thickness in green and red bands and at-satellite temperature in thermal infrared band show significant relation with particulate matter, black particles and carbon monoxide respectively. We conclude that spatial variability of these pollutants can be mapped with remote sensing.