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Review of the applications of Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer to air quality research

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Abstract

The Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) launched by NASA in late 1999 has a unique multiangle design, which points nine cameras at fixed angles along the satellite flight track and collects reflected solar radiation simultaneously. This design allows the retrieval of a rich dataset of particle abundance, shape and composition over both land and ocean. Some of its capabilities have not been seen by any currently operating satellite aerosol sensors. Since MISR is sensitive to fine particles, it provides a new data source to study the spatial and temporal characteristics of air quality over large geographical regions. We first briefly introduce the MISR instrument, the retrieval and structure of MISR aerosol data, and then review the applications of MISR aerosol data in various aspects of air quality research since its launch. These include the spatial distributions of particle pollution events such as dust storms, wild fires, and urban pollution. Because of the high quality of MISR aerosol data, they can be used as quantitative indicators of particle pollution levels. We review the current modeling studies of surface level particle concentrations. Next, we introduce research results using MISR’s advanced data such as the plume heights, and particle microphysical properties. In the discussion, we compare MISR research with current MODIS research to the best of our ability as MODIS data have been more extensively explored by the Chinese scientific community. Finally, we summarize the advantages and disadvantages of MISR data related to its applications to the air quality research. Given the highly quantitative measurements and comprehensive aerosol information MISR can provide, we believe that it will provide great values to advance our understanding of the particle air pollution in China.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Yang Liu

  2. Department of Environmental Engineering and Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Dan Chen & KeBin He

  3. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91109, USA

    Ralph A. Kahn

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  1. Yang Liu
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  2. Dan Chen
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  3. Ralph A. Kahn
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  4. KeBin He
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Correspondence to KeBin He.

Additional information

Supported by Harvard-EPA Center on Particle Health Effects (Grant Nos. R-827353 and R-832416), NASA’s Climate and Radiation Research and Analysis Program, the EOS-MISR Instrument Project and the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2006AA06A305).

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Liu, Y., Chen, D., Kahn, R.A. et al. Review of the applications of Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer to air quality research. Sci. China Ser. D-Earth Sci. 52, 132–144 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-008-0149-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-008-0149-6

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